A Chernobyl-type reactor is being dismantled at a nuclear power plant in Lithuania—the first of its kind in the world — LRT
Lithuania is officially launching a unique and technologically complex process to dismantle the core assemblies of RBMK-type reactors at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, which are similar to the equipment used at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Specialists have already completely removed the spent nuclear fuel and placed it in special storage facilities for temporary storage.
Since the level of radioactive radiation in the reactor cores remains critically high, direct work inside the power units will be performed by specialized robotic systems, minimizing human involvement in hazardous areas.
Soviet RBMK reactors operated for a long time at Unit 2 of the Ignalina NPP; at the time of their operation, they were considered among the most powerful nuclear facilities in the world.
At the current stage, the plant’s personnel are successfully dismantling infrastructure elements that can be safely removed without the involvement of specialized foreign engineers.
However, the dismantling of the core structures themselves requires the implementation of the latest global engineering solutions and unique remote technologies.
The plant’s management emphasizes the historical and practical importance of this large-scale environmental project for the global nuclear energy sector.
“This will be the most difficult task. But we will be the first in the world to do it,” said plant director Linas Baužys.
According to him, the graphite components of the reactor—the most complex part of the decommissioning—are expected to be handled by specialists from international companies, most likely from the U.S. or France.
The cleanup of the Soviet legacy is proceeding strictly according to schedule, and the services involved have already completed a significant amount of the planned work at the industrial site.
“In total, 45% of the equipment has already been dismantled,” said plant spokesperson Jolita Mažeikienė.
The full scope of work to clean up and decommission the nuclear power plant site is expected to take several decades due to high safety standards.
This was reported by LRT.
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