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Nuclear Decommissioning (LT) Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plan in Lithuania

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Security and Defence

Nuclear Decommissioning (LT)

Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plan in Lithuania

(depending on the waste category), including the completion of the waste management

Challenge

The decommissioning of a nuclear installation such as a power plant or research reactor is the final step in its lifecycle. It involves activities from shutdown and removal of nuclear material to the environmental restoration of the site. The whole process is long and complex: it typically takes 20 to 30 years. It is also fraught with technical, technological and financiall challenges. The EU legal framework sets the highest safety standards for all activities regarding nuclear installations, including their decommissioning.

COUNCIL REGULATION

establishing the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania and repealing Regulation (EU) No
1369/2013

infrastructure where necessary;
4. implementation of the building demolition programme;
5. obtaining the decommissioning licence once Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the Ignalina nuclear power plant are defueled;
6. downgrading of radiological hazards.

Council Regulation (EU) 2021/101

Furthermore, knowledge and experience gained and lessons learnt under the programme with regard to the decommissioning process shall be disseminated among Union stakeholders, thus enhancing the EU added value of the programme.

Period of Application
2021–2027

In application of its Act of Accession to the Union, Lithuania anticipated the shutdown of the two nuclear reactors in Ignalina within the agreed deadlines (2004 and 2009).

RELEVANT WEBSITE FOR MORE
INFORMATION

Actions

The Union committed to provide financial support for the decommissioning, in accordance with approved plans, while keeping the highest level of safety.
The actions to be funded by the Ignalina programme are within the scope of the decommissioning plan established by Lithuania. The Commission, in close cooperation with Lithuania, will determine in the work programme the actions to support financially, focusing on activities related to the delivery of the general and specific objectives and with the highest EU added value, i.e. removal of radiological hazards and creation and dissemination of relevant knowledge.

https://europa.eu/!bC66CU

EU funding is justified, since nuclear safety in Lithuania is essential for nuclear safety in the region and in the EU as a whole. EU action has also specific added value because it favours the dissemination of critical knowledge and know-how on dismantling and decontamination processes.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMMING

(EUR MILLION)

450.7 72.5 98.9 68.8 74.6 74.7 80.1 82.4

2014-2020
2021

The programme is on track to accomplish the specific objectives with the funding provided in the 2014- 2020 MFF and a clear trend towards increased efficiency was observed throughout the monitoring activities as confirmed by independent experts.

2022

Delivery mode

2023

Indirect Management entrusted to the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and CPMA (Central Project Management Agency – national agency in Lithuania).

2024 2025

Mission

2026

The programme’s general objective is to assist

Lithuania in implementing the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, with specific emphasis on managing the safety challenges in respect thereof, while creating knowledge with regard to the nuclear decommissioning process and the management of radioactive waste resulting from the decommissioning activities.
The Directorate-General for Energy manages directly a limited fraction of the funds for preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities.

2027 Total programming

552.0

Link to the 2014-2020 MFF

The decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant (LT) has received EU support since 2001 under various instruments. The EU assistance in the 2021-2027 MFF is the continuation of the long-term programme—which is scheduled to extend through 2038--with the additional objective to disseminate knowledge on the decommissioning process to all EU Member States. The activities funded in the period 2021-2027 will be subject to an EU co-financing rate of 86%.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The impact assessment of the
Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme was carried out in 2018. For further information please consult:

https://europa.eu/!jv63Rb

Objectives

The programme will assist with activities included in the decommissioning plan submitted by Lithuania, in particular with:

1. dismantling and decontamination of the reactor

shafts’ top and bottom zones and equipment in

accordance with the decommissioning plan;
2. the design for the dismantling and

decontamination of the reactor shafts’ central

zones (graphite cores). This objective is to be accomplished before 2027, when the relevant authorisations will be granted to carry out the actual dismantling and decontamination, which is scheduled to occur after 2027;
3. safe management of the decommissioning and legacy waste up to interim storage or to disposal

149

Security and Defence

Performance Framework

To carry out the dismantling and decontamination of the equipment and reactor shafts of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with the decommissioning plan, including the management of radioactive waste resulting from the decommissioning activities, and to continue with the safe management of the decommissioning and legacy waste.

  • Indicator
  • Dimension

measured

  • Type
  • Source
  • Data availability

  • Short lived very low waste (Class A) – disposed of Radioactive
  • waste Output
  • decommissioning operator
  • First data in 2021; estimated lag

2 months; to be received semiannually management

  • Short lived low and intermediate level waste Radioactive
  • waste Output

waste Output and Output and Output decommissioning operator decommissioning operator decommissioning operator decommissioning operator
First data in 2021; estimated lag 2 months; to be received semiannually

  • (Class B and C) – disposed of
  • management

  • Long lived waste (Class D, E, F) – safely stored
  • Radioactive
  • First data in 2021; estimated lag

2 months; to be received semiannually management
Metal dismantled (tonne)

Concrete removed (tonne)
Dismantling decontamination
First data in 2021; estimated lag 2 months; to be received semiannually

  • Dismantling
  • First data in 2021; estimated lag

2 months; to be received semiannually decontamination

Estimation of baselines and targets

Radioactive waste management: quantity and type of waste safely stored or disposed of: the baseline is

communicated by the decommissioning operator, based on its detailed inventory of radioactive waste.

Baseline

Dismantling and decontamination: quantity and type of materials removed: the baseline is communicated

by the decommissioning operator based on its detailed accounting of production.

Radioactive waste management: quantity and type of waste safely stored or disposed of: annual

objectives by type, meeting the milestones of the programme. The annual targets are defined by the decommissioning operator in accordance with the Detailed Decommissioning Plan. They are based on an estimated material inventory and could be revised if the inventory is updated.

Targets

Dismantling and decontamination: quantity and type of materials removed: annual objectives by type,

meeting the milestones of the programme. The annual targets are defined by the decommissioning operator in accordance with the Detailed Decommissioning Plan. They are based on an estimated material inventory and could be revised if the inventory is updated.

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