Education and Science, Energy, Financial Services, Latvia

"LU is considering withdrawing from the project due to limited funds – if the government does not allot the total financing that LU has requested for maintenance of the reactor, the university will have every right to terminate the cooperation agreement," believes Muiznieks.

According to the university's estimates, maintenance of the Salaspils Nuclear Reactor requires approximately EUR 285,000 this year and about EUR 200,000 a year in 2016 and 2017.

The University of Latvia initially took responsibility for the maintenance job, hoping that, with the help of the European Union's funds, the facility could be transformed into a scientific center that would contribute to the economic development of Latvia and present new opportunities for young scientists and students.

However, taking into consideration insufficient financing, LU is now seriously considering withdrawing from the project. Scientists on staff at the nuclear reactor will continue to be LU employees. "Waste management is not a research scientist's vocation," said Muiznieks.

Alda Ozola, deputy state secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, said that the ministry would like to continue cooperation with LU. At the moment, no specific ideas are being considered – it will be done only if cooperation with the ministry is severed.

The ministry is currently working on a report that includes long- and short-term suggestions regarding the reactor, as well as information about further sources of financing for dismantling.

LU previously said that the nuclear reactor in Salaspils still posed a threat to the environment. Last December, a leak from one of the water containers at the facility was discovered. Reactor experts fear more leaks in the future. Dismantling would be the best solution, but it would require at least EUR 5.5 million.

The government decided that the reactor had to be razed already in 2009, however, the funds necessary for this still have not been allotted. Last year the government spent EUR 118,891 on emergency maintenance chores.