The project will provide an exceptional opportunity to work together to improve expertise in nuclear decommissioning and competencies to reduce risk of negative impact on people and the environment and gain, together with VATESI and the DSA, the best world practices in a safe and efficient decommissioning.

The objective of the project is to improve management, control and prevention of negative impact of radioactive materials stored at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) on the environment and the population. This project will contribute to the safe management of radioactive waste.

Specifically, the project will allow Lithuania to start the initial stages of a Deep Geological project, which is necessary for the long-term storage of radioactive waste and required safety assessments for storage of industrial waste from INPP and assessments for a third waste stream - bituminized waste.

The project will also conduct training and capacity building exercises, including experience sharing between Lithuania and Norway through the partnership with DSA and VATESI.

The project includes:

  • Social and economic evaluation and criteria for selection of potential region for Deep Geological Repository
  • Geophysical (seismic) survey programme
  • Geophysical (seismic) investigations
  • Site descriptive model for deep borehole
  • Development of concept for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW) final disposal in clay
  • Establishment of conditional radiological clearance levels for industrial waste storage site
  • Review and evaluation of bituminized waste storage facility transformation into a repository concept and safety analysis report review
  • Final review report on bituminized waste storage facility transformation into a repository site
  • Training of professional employees
  • Technical meetings for professional employees


    Target groups of the project: INPP, VATESI, DSA, society.

Summary of bilateral results

To carry out the project activities, technical assistance from independent experts was enlisted. VATESI, with support from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the IAEA mission, conducted an expert evaluation. They reviewed safety documents related to the reconstruction of the Ignalina NPP’s bituminised radioactive waste storage facility into a repository, and helped identify and justify safe disposal methods for the bituminised waste.

During the review with IAEA experts, certain safety standards were highlighted that needed to be addressed in the technical project development. International experts also pointed out key safety aspects that needed to be demonstrated reliably. These issues were analyzed and improved during the site safety assessment for the design phase of the repository. The conceptual and site safety assessment documents were reviewed and coordinated with VATESI.

VATESI also played an active role in preparing the report for the "Industrial Waste Storage Site" ("Polygon"), which determined the conditional levels of uncontrolled radioactivity. This report considered possible exposure scenarios and calculated safe levels for releasing industrial waste from radiation control. The research program, methodology for radiation control elimination, and all reports were approved by VATESI.

Representatives from DSA, VATESI, and IAE worked closely together, participating in three training sessions and seven technical meetings to improve their qualifications. Following this collaboration, IAE received a proposal from DSA for further joint projects.

Project details

Project info
Period
2014-2021
Approval date
Grant financing
3027291.00€
Final project cost
2874187.45€