Covid-19, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Nuclear power plant
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Thursday, 18.04.2024, 03:35
Coronavirus crisis had 'minimal impact' on Ignalina NPP closure works
"Currently, the dismantling and unloading works are going according to plan," Audrius Kamienas said as he briefed the Cabinet on the progress of decommissioning projects.
"COVID-19 had a minimal impact. We think we lost about a couple of months, due mainly to IAEA inspectors being unable to come and carry out their duties," he said.
Deputy Energy Minister Lina Sabaitiene said Lithuania had sought 692 million euros in funding for the Ignalina plant in the EU's next budget period, but the approved amount, 490 million euros, would be sufficient, too.
However, Lithuania expected to secure funding for the dismantling of the Ignalina plant's reactors, scheduled for 2027-2033, Sabaitiene noted. "With the results of the negotiations being as they are now, a heavier burden will be placed on future negotiators for funding beyond 2027," she said.
All intact fuel has been already being removed from the plant's first reactor unit and damaged fuel is now being handled, a process that is technically more complex and requires more time. It is planned to move all fuel to the storage facility by October 2022.
The decommissioning process is estimated to cost 3.316 billion euros in total and is scheduled to be completed in 2038.
In line with its EU accession commitments, Lithuania shut down the first unit of the Ignalina plant in late 2004 and closed its second and last operating unit five years later.
- 26.08.2021 LLC Dizozols Investments finalizes investment attraction deal with Crowdestor with record-high profits
- 30.12.2020 Hotels showing strong interest in providing self-isolation service
- 30.12.2020 EU to buy additional 100 mln doses of coronavirus vaccine
- 30.12.2020 ЕС закупит 100 млн. дополнительных доз вакцины Biontech и Pfizer
- 29.12.2020 В Латвии вводят комендантский час, ЧС продлена до 7 февраля
- 29.12.2020 Latvia to impose curfew, state of emergency to be extended until February 7
- 29.12.2020 Linde Gas открывает завод в Кедайняйской СЭЗ
- 29.12.2020 Number of new companies registered in Estonia up in 2020
- 29.12.2020 Президент Литвы утвердил бюджет 2021 года
- 29.12.2020 В Риге можно изолироваться в трех гостиницах