Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
The EBRD manages the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF) which supports the development and implementation of key decommissioning and energy sector projects in Lithuania. To assist Lithuania with the decommissioning process, the European Commission together with 14 European governments set up the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF) at the EBRD in 2001.
Lithuania had one nuclear power plant with two units at Ignalina. Both units were Soviet-designed RBMK 1500 reactors.
As part of the EU accession process, Lithuania agreed to the early closure of its reactors: Ignalina unit 1 was shut down at the end of 2004 and unit 2 at the end of 2009.
Dismantling works began in 2010 including mechanical and thermal cutting to reduce secondary waste, to optimise radiation protection.
To date 20% of the total equipment has been dismantled by INPP’s retained personnel. The plant’s preexisting personnel were retained to help in the decommissioning works.
17,000 RBMK spent nuclear fuel rods will be removed from the old Units, secured, and transported 2 kilometers to the newly built Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility.
Construction works at the interim spent fuel storage facility and the solid radioactive waste management facility are complete. The spent fuel storage facility started operating in October 2016 and the radioactive waste facility is expected to be operational in 2017.
Safe storage of spent fuel and the ability to safely handle and store radioactive waste produced during dismantling works, are key prerequisites for future decommissioning activities.
Rebuilding of Lithuania’s Energy Sector
The IIDSF has financed energy sector development projects which are an integral part of the closure of the Ignalina plant.
The control room for Lithuania’s energy sector manages the export of electricity supply to neighboring European countries.
With the decommissioning of Ignalina, Lithuania went from being a net exporter to a net importer of energy. IIDSF helped fund upgrades to plants such as the Elektrenai Power Plant to help fill the supply deficit.
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
The EBRD manages the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF) which supports the development and implementation of key decommissioning and energy sector projects in Lithuania. To assist Lithuania with the decommissioning process, the European Commission together with 14 European governments set up the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF) at the EBRD in 2001.
Lithuania had one nuclear power plant with two units at Ignalina. Both units were Soviet-designed RBMK 1500 reactors.
As part of the EU accession process, Lithuania agreed to the early closure of its reactors: Ignalina unit 1 was shut down at the end of 2004 and unit 2 at the end of 2009.
Dismantling works began in 2010 including mechanical and thermal cutting to reduce secondary waste, to optimise radiation protection.
To date 20% of the total equipment has been dismantled by INPP’s retained personnel. The plant’s preexisting personnel were retained to help in the decommissioning works.
17,000 RBMK spent nuclear fuel rods will be removed from the old Units, secured, and transported 2 kilometers to the newly built Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility.
Construction works at the interim spent fuel storage facility and the solid radioactive waste management facility are complete. The spent fuel storage facility started operating in October 2016 and the radioactive waste facility is expected to be operational in 2017.
Safe storage of spent fuel and the ability to safely handle and store radioactive waste produced during dismantling works, are key prerequisites for future decommissioning activities.
Rebuilding of Lithuania’s Energy Sector
The IIDSF has financed energy sector development projects which are an integral part of the closure of the Ignalina plant.
The control room for Lithuania’s energy sector manages the export of electricity supply to neighboring European countries.
With the decommissioning of Ignalina, Lithuania went from being a net exporter to a net importer of energy. IIDSF helped fund upgrades to plants such as the Elektrenai Power Plant to help fill the supply deficit.