September 3, 2009 Vilnius. Lithuania’s State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) has issued a license to Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Ignalina NPP) whereby Ignalina NPP is permitted to construct a spent nuclear fuel management facility.
Michail Demčenko, VATESI Deputy Head, says it is the second license issued to Ignalina NPP for construction of radioactive waste management facilities. Under this licence Ignalina NPP will be able to construct the spent nuclear fuel storage facility and to install ancillary equipment for management of spent nuclear fuel in the power plant’s units.
The license has been issued under certain preconditions that will have to be fulfilled prior to the beginning of operation of the spent nuclear fuel storage facilities. Until September 1, 2010 Ignalina NPP will have to prepare and to get approved a separate project dedicated to manage untight and mechanically damaged fuel. During a construction stage, Ignalina NPP should properly ensure physical protection and install security equipment at the construction site. Moreover, it has to demonstrate that the contractor has enough qualified manpower to perform specific operations.
The commissioning of the new spent nuclear fuel storage facilities is scheduled for the year 2011. Spent nuclear fuel will be stored in special containers for a fifty-year period. The facility will be constructed in the existing territory of Ignalina NPP, Visaginas Municipality.
The bulk of spent nuclear fuel that has accumulated in the course of operation of the nuclear power plant will be stored in the spent fuel storage facility in the special CONSTOR RBMK1500/M2 type containers.
