VATESI decision to issue a permit for delivery of nuclear fuel cycle materials to the very low level radioactive waste repository and for the first test while using nuclear fuel cycle materials in this repository

The State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) reviewed an application submitted by the State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant on 15 January 2020 and on 1 April 2022 was issued a permit for transportation of radioactive waste to the Very low level radioactive waste repository constructed in accordance with technical project No. 7930/1 (Very Low Radioactive Waste Repository) and for the first testing of nuclear fuel cycle materials in this repository:

After the assessment of SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant submitted documents, VATESI came to conclusion that the planned activities – transportation of radioactive waste to the repository and conduction tests of the repository systems – comply with the nuclear, radiation and physical security requirements and employees, public and environment will be protected against radiation risks.

Summary information on the planned activities in the Very Low Radioactive Waste Repository (hereinafter - the Repository) and the review of safety assessment performed by VATESI is provided in the Summary of the Safety Review and Assessment of the Documents Justifying the Safety of the Repository.

Stakeholders were invited to review the draft decision and licence application documents and submit their proposals as well. One proposal was received within the term of familiarization and submission of proposals established in the Law on Nuclear Safety. Reply to the proposal was presented (See The Summary of the Safety Review and Assessment of the Documents Justifying the Safety of the Repository).

Information about the nuclear facility

Radioactive waste repository is a radioactive waste management facility for emplacement of waste with no intention of retrieving it in the future. Very low radioactive waste repository can hold up to 60,000 m³ of waste.

SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant plans to place waste in the repository until 2038, then repository will be closed. After the closure of the repository, it will be maintained for 100 years: 30 years of active repository surveillance (radiological and environmental monitoring, physical security) and for next 70 years will remain restriction on land use near repository (passive maintenance).

The permit will enable SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant to verify under real conditions that all equipment and repository systems comply with the technical design and nuclear safety requirements, that proper instructions and procedures are in place and staff are trained to operate the repository safely. For this purpose, SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant plans to place the waste accumulated in the radioactive waste buffer storage facility at the site of the Ignalina NPP – it will be transported to the site of the repository and disposed off in the repository. Transportation of radioactive waste and first testing of the nuclear fuel cycle materials are necessary before the industrial operation of the repository and it will be carried out in accordance with the VATESI approved repository commissioning program.

Applicant information

State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, company code 255450080, registered address Elektrinės str. 4, K47 Drūkšinių vil., 31152 Visaginas mun., Republic of Lithuania, Tel. No. +370 386 28 985, Fax. No. +370 386 24 396, email: iae(at)iae.lt

Last updated: 09-07-2024