Sweco advises on nuclear waste disposal in Lithuania

The Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania has commissioned Sweco to assess the environmental risks associated with the country’s proposed deep geological repository (DGR) for long-lived radioactive waste. This assessment is a crucial step in the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, a process that is expected to take several decades.

Following its official closure in 2009 as part of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, the Ignalina nuclear power plant is undergoing a major dismantling process. This includes the removal of the reactors, the management of radioactive waste and the rehabilitation of the site to ensure long-term safety.

Sweco’s role in the project is to assess the potential impacts on soil, geological structures, groundwater, air quality and biodiversity at 77 possible disposal sites in Lithuania. The aim is to identify a site that will ensure the safe, long-term isolation of radioactive waste, while involving the public in decision-making and minimising environmental impact. The €448,000 project will start in December 2024 and run for one year.

“This initiative is crucial for both current and future generations in Lithuania,” said Liudas Zalunskis, managing director of Sweco in Lithuania. “Our team will combine local expertise with the Sweco Group’s extensive international experience in nuclear projects to find the best solution for the safe and permanent disposal of nuclear waste.”

Sweco has extensive experience in nuclear infrastructure, including new plant construction, plant maintenance, decommissioning and waste management. With a track record of nuclear projects in Sweden, Belgium and Finland, the company is well equipped to advise on Lithuania’s nuclear waste management strategy. Importantly, Sweco does not provide services related to the core or hot zones of nuclear reactors.

The decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, which operated two RBMK reactors, is expected to be completed by 2040. The country aims to construct and start operating a deep geological repository by 2080 to ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of its nuclear waste management.