A.Goštauto str. 12
LT-01108 Vilnius
INSTITUTION code: 188639874
Tel. +370 5 266 1584
Fax +370 5 261 4487
E-mail: atom(at)vatesi.lt
Projects funded by European Economic Area and Norwegian financial mechanisms
Improving the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
Development of an Early Warning System on Nuclear Emergency of Lithuania
Project “Improving the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant”
On 6 October 2020, State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) signed a tripartite cooperation agreement with the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (hereinafter – DSA) and State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant regarding implementation of the project “Improving the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant”.
The goal of the project – to improve the Ignalina NPP decommissioning management, control and prevention system, to improve radioactive waste management methods.
One of the project tasks – to evaluate the possibility to transform the bituminous radioactive waste storage facility into a repository. In order to evaluate the safety justification documents prepared by SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant for the existing storage facility site, as well as the concept of the repository with its safety analysis report, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert missions were organised with the help of DSA. During the missions, the experts evaluated the characteristics of the facility, the technical-engineering solutions of the concept and the efficiency of the safety barriers developed by the radioactive waste repository, as well as the long-term (100-300 years perspective) safety aspects. After examining the above-mentioned documents and receiving the conclusions and recommendations of international experts, VATESI made safety evaluation for chosen methods of management of bituminous radioactive waste provided by SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.
Also during the implementation of this project, specialists from VATESI and SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant participated in workshops on various decommissioning and radioactive waste management oversight topics.
The total grant of the project – 3.5 million EUR. 193 thousand EUR was spent on service of independent expert review for the assessment of the option of converting the bituminous waste repository into a disposal facility and implemented under a contract for consultancy services between the IAEA and the Norwegian regulatory authority (DSA). The task was completed in December 2022.
The project “Increasing the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant” is funded by the European Economic Area and Norwegian financial mechanisms for the period 2014–2021 and aims to develop environment, energy, climate change and low carbon economy.
Project “Development of an Early Warning System on Nuclear Emergency of Lithuania“
On 24 February 2021, State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) has signed a tripartite partnership agreement with the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior (PAGD) and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority (DSA) regarding implementation of the project “Development of an Early Warning System on Nuclear Emergency of Lithuania“. This agreement, signed by all project partners, came into force on 16 March 2021.
The goal of the project is to create a unified early warning system on nuclear or radiological accident in the Republic of Lithuania and other countries, paying special attention to the measures dedicated to protect population against a possible nuclear accident at a nuclear power plant operating in the Republic of Belarus.
By implementing this project, VATESI will strengthen capabilities to perform the functions provided for in the National Plan for Protection of Population in Case of a Nuclear or Radiological Accident: to predict the progression of nuclear and radiological accidents and the radioactive release in environment (source terms) in the nuclear installations. To achieve these goals, VATESI plans to purchase software (computer program and computer model) adapted to VVER-1200 type reactors for more accurate predicting of nuclear accidents progression and radionuclide release, as well as to prepare software documentation and train VATESI employees to use this software, and ensure technical support of purchased software.
Obtained software will be tested during the complex emergency preparedness exercises that is planned to be organized together with the project partners in frame of the project.
The total budget of the project – 7 million EUR. For the implementation of VATESI tasks is allocated 327 thousand EUR. VATESI plans to implement its tasks within 30 months.
Project “Development of an Early Warning System on Nuclear Emergency of Lithuania“ is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 program “Environment, Energy, Climate Change“.
Updated 08-02-2023
