Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant

When Lithuania gained independence in 1991, it assumed full responsibility for the two 1350 MWe units at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. However, without a nuclear regulatory agency, Lithuania was unprepared to handle safety issues related to the plant.[1] Therefore, on 18 October 1991 the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) established the Lithuanian State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI). The Lithuanian government approved its status as a regulatory and inspection agency under the Ministry of Energy on 21 October 1992.[2] As of August 2008, VATESI was comprised of three divisions: Department of Administration, Department of Nuclear Safety, and Department of Radiation Protection.For more information on VATESI's responsibilities, structure, and international cooperation, see the Inspectorate's website at www.vatesi.lt.
Sources:
[1] Jurgis Bilemas and Detlev Reichenbach, Internationale Zeitschrift fuer Kernenenergie, atw 40. Jg., August-September 1995, p. 530-31.
[2] Diana Medliene, ed., Valstybine Atomines Energetikos Saugos Inspekcija (1991-1996), (Vilnius: VATESI), 1996, pp 4, 8.
[3] VATESI website, http://www.vatesi.lt/index.php?id=3&L=1.

Archived Developments:

May 1993: DECREE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NUCLEAR RADIATION SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ISSUED
The Lithuanian government issued a decree for the establishment of the Nuclear Radiation Safety Advisory Committee to aid VATESI in 3 areas: 1) to develop standard rules for current energy regulation, 2) to develop standard rules for national legislation, 3) to exercise regulatory control over Ignalina's safe operation. The committee is composed of advisors from the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania.
[Nuclear Energy Institute, "Source Book," 1996, p. 192.]

January 1998: SWEDISH SAFETY EXPERTS COMPLETE FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION
Swedish experts completed the last in a three-month series of Swedish-funded safety inspections at Ignalina power plant. Chief engineer Gennadijus Negrivoda stated that the group conducted various possible fire scenarios and analyzed different fire prevention plans at the plant. The specialists will draft a report on suggestions for fire prevention improvements in the fall of 1998.
—"Swedes Vet Lithuanian Ignalina Plant's Fire Safety," Baltic News Service, 3 February 1998.]

12 January 1998: POLICE ARREST TWO LITHUANIANS TRYING TO SELL RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Police arrested two Lithuanian citizens, Vladimir Yefremenkov and Boris Shedogubov, in Vilnius for attempting to sell 30kg of highly radioactive material for 84,000 litas ($21,000). Ten kilograms of the material was found in the automobile of one of the suspects, while the remaining 20kg was located in the suspect's garage.[1] Although the material (one source presumed it to be uranium) was packed in lead containers, the radiation level surrounding the containers was reportedly many times above permitted safe levels.[2] Lithuanian Special Investigation Service spokesman Mindaugas Sejunas stated that it had been imported into Lithuania before 1990 and had been buried in a Vilnius cemetery prior to its confiscation. He denied reports that the material originated from the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Prosecutors will charge the two suspects on illegal acquisition, possession, and use of radioactive material, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.[1]
— [1] Baltic News Service, 14 January 1998; in "Uranium Found in Vilnius Said Imported Before Independence," FBIS-SOV-98-014.
-- [2] "Segodnya" broadcast, NTV, 14 January 1998; in "Radioactive Material May Have Been Stolen," FBIS-TAC-98-016, 16 January 1998.

February 1998: SWEDEN RENEWS COMMITMENT TO IGNALINA SAFETY ASSISTANCE
The government and parliament of Sweden decided in 1998 to continue the Swedish program of safety assistance to the Ignalina nuclear power plant for two to three years. From 1994 to 1996, the Swedish International Project (SIP) provided SKr95.7 million ($11.9 million) in safety equipment for the Ignalina plant, including a robotic tool and improvements in fire protection, communications, and access control hardware. Safety training and technology transfer over the same period totaled SKr108.3 million ($13.5 million), including safety analysis, waste management, emergency preparedness, and radiation protection. SIP has budgeted SKr70 million ($8.7 million) for equipment, training, and technology transfer in 1998.
— [Swedish International Project Nuclear Safety website, http://www.iae.lt/ic/Bendr/sip_eng.htm.]

2 February 1998: LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT SUPPORTS NEW REACTOR
Newly elected President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus told Swedish journalists that although the Ignalina NPP does not present a threat to Lithuania, he would like Lithuania to consider constructing new nuclear power facilities in the future.
— [Lillemor Idling, "Lithuania: New Nuclear Power Could Replace Ignalina," Tidningarnas Telegrambyra, 2 February 1998; in "Adamkus on Nuclear Energy, Death Penalty, EU, NATO," FBIS-TEN-98-034.]

March 1998: EBRD REPORT SAYS IGNALINA SHUTDOWN BEFORE 2004 NOT NEEDED
A report prepared for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in March 1998 concluded that investments to improve safety and allow Ignalina's two reactors to operate into the next century are generally justified, and that shutting down the plant before 2004 is not warranted.
— ["Ignalina can run to 2004," Nuclear Engineering International, vol. 43, no. 524, March 1998, p. 6.]

5 March 1998: IGNALINA UNIT 1 RESUMES OPERATION FOLLOWING SHUTDOWN
Ignalina-1 resumed power generation two days after an operator's error caused a shutdown. The mistake occurred during a check of the unit's control system. No other equipment faults or changes in radiation levels occurred. Unit 2 operated without interruption.[1] Although the shutdown did not affect local energy consumption, Lithuania failed to deliver 4.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to neighboring Belarus.[2]
— [1] "Reactor Restarted at Lithuanian Nuclear Plant After Two-Day Stoppage," ETA, 6 March 1998; in Internet Securities, http://www.securities.com, 7 March 1998.
— [2] "Ignalina Stoppage Disrupts Electricity Export to Belarus," Baltic News Service, 5 March 1998.

7 March 1998: ADAMKUS PROPOSES BUILDING A NEW REACTOR UNIT
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus stated that Lithuania should begin a "radical modernization" of the Ignalina power plant during his five-year term in office. He stated that Lithuania should not reject nuclear energy, which is the cleanest and cheapest kind of energy. Adamkus hopes to attract international financial assistance for the construction of a new third reactor, after which Lithuania will shut down Units 1 and 2. Lithuania has already pledged to shut down Units 1 and 2 by 2005 and 2010, respectively, but has been unable to provide the $600 million necessary for the projects or to attract supplementary power sources to compensate for the loss of energy the units currently provide.
— ["Lithuania To Start Upgrading Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant," Interfax, No. 2, 7 March 1997.]

10 March 1998: NORWAY PLEDGES FUNDS FOR IGNALINA SAFETY
Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek announced in Vilnius that his government will donate nearly $4 million to Lithuania in 1998, a third of which will be directed toward safety improvements at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.[1] He stated at a press conference that Ignalina represents not only a threat to Lithuania, but to the whole region.[2] Vollebaek met with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas.[1]
— [1] "Foreign Minister Says Norway Increases Bankrolling of Lithuania," ELTA, No. 103, 11 March 1998.
-- [2] "Norway Promises Safety Funding for Ignalina Reactor in Lithuania," ETA Baltic Economic News, 10 March 1998.

12 March 1998: LITHUANIA AND DENMARK SIGN SAFETY AGREEMENT
On 12 March 1998 Lithuania and Denmark signed a cooperation agreement worth $250,000 on nuclear and radiation safety. According to the head of radioactive substances division of the Lithuanian Environment Ministry, Stasys Motiejunas, discussions with Denmark on this issue started in 1993. Since then, Lithuania has received eight high-sensitivity gamma monitoring stations, four of which operate near the Ignalina NPP. These stations transmit data on environmental radiation levels to a computer center at the Environment Ministry. Plans exist to set up a common radiation safety information system in the Baltic Sea region, with a surveillance station in Kaunas.
— ["Lithuania To Fortify A Nuclear And Radiation Safety By A Bilateral Agreement," ELTA, No. 107, 13 March 1998.]

19 March 1998: EU ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER SAYS IGNALINA MUST SHUT DOWN
After touring the Ignalina nuclear power plant on 17 March 1998, European Union Environmental Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard was favorably impressed with the plant's safety measures, but nevertheless said that the plant must be shut down in the near future if Lithuania expects to join the EU. The Director of the Lithuanian Energy Institute, Jurgis Vilemas, responded by saying, "This insistence on shutting Ignalina down is just some principle, a political maneuver...they are putting Lithuania in a very difficult position." Vilemas said that international studies have shown that the plant's power units are in better condition than they were previously thought to be, and that while there would be no technical problems in closing the plant or replacing the plant's generating capacity with fossil fuels and cogeneration plants, decommissioning the Ignalina plant would cost "billions of dollars."
— ["Bjerregaard says Ignalina closure is Lithuania's ticket into EU," Nucleonics Week, 19 March 1998, p. 5.]

9 April 1998: VILEMAS SAYS ECONOMICS FAVORS KEEPING IGNALINA IN OPERATION
Jurgis Vilemas, director of the Lithuanian Energy Institute, said that rechanneling the two reactors of the Ignalina nuclear power plant "looks very attractive from the economic point of view" and that the Lithuanian government will likely make a decision on rechanneling later in 1998. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) maintains that Lithuania agreed not to rechannel the 1,500 MW RBMK reactors under the terms of a grant for safety improvements, and is also concerned that plans to build a high voltage transmission line to Poland could give Lithuania another reason to keep Ignalina operating.
— ["Economics said to favor keeping Ignalina operating," Nucleonics Week, 9 April 1998, p. 7.]

21 April 1998: PRESIDENT, PREMIER SAY NO IGNALINA SHUTDOWN BEFORE 2005
Lithuania's Foreign Policy Coordination Council, chaired by President Valdas Adamkus, said on 21 April 1998 that research by international organizations does not support the conclusion that the Ignalina nuclear power plant should soon be closed, and therefore closure of the plant would not be considered before 2005. Premier Gediminas Vagnorius said that according to international experts, applying world standards in inspecting the plant, the first unit at Ignalina could operate with existing fuel channels until 2005 while the second could operate until 2010. Vagnorius also emphasized that Lithuania opposed any linkage between the Ignalina issue and membership in the EU.[1] President Adamkus asserted that he will not give in to European pressure for an early shutdown of the Ignalina plant. [2]
— [1] "Lithuania puts off the issue of Ignalina nuclear plant to the year 2005," ELTA, 21 April 1998.
— [2] Nikolay Lashkevich, "Lithuania will keep its nuclear electric power station," Izvestiya, 25 April 1998, p. 3, in "Lithuanian President Opposes Nuclear Plant Closure," FBIS-SOV-98-117.

30 April 1998: NUCLEAR INSPECTORATE HEAD SAYS IGNALINA IS SAFE
Saulius Kutas, head of the State Nuclear Energy Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) said in April 1998 that all safety measures recommended by international specialists in 1997 had been implemented, and therefore there was no need to shut down the Ignalina plant for extensive overhauls. Kutas denied that Lithuania had made promises to close the plant, saying that "Lithuania has never made pledges anywhere to shut down the nuclear power station. Lithuania has only committed itself not to operate its nuclear power plant unless it is safe to do so."[1] Kutas also emphasized that $22 million would be spent on safety improvements at Ignalina in 1998, and that there were only two unscheduled reactor shutdowns at the plant in 1997, down from seven in 1996.[2]
— [1] Lithuanian television broadcast, Channel 1, 30 April 1998, in "Inspector Stresses Safety of Lithuania's Ignalina Plant," FBIS-SOV-98-120.
— [2] "V ukrepleniye bezopasnosti Ignalinskoy AES (Litva) v etom godu budet investirovano $22 mln." Interfax, 30 April 1998.

5 May 1998: IGNALINA TO BE LICENSED PER AGREEMENT WITH EBRD
The Lithuanian State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) will prepare a license for the continuing operation of Unit 1 at the Ignalina nuclear power plant by May 1999. This license is required under the terms of a 1994 agreement between the Ignalina plant, the Lithuanian Energy Ministry, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) which provided for ECU33 million ($36.5 million), and subsequently an additional ECU6 million ($6.6 million) for implementation of new safety measures.[1] A statement from the Seimas (parliament) press service denied media reports that Lithuania had promised the European Commission to shut down the Ignalina plant, and VATESI Director Saulis Kutas likewise said the reports were erroneous.[2]
— [1] ELTA news service report, 5 May 1998, in "Lithuanian Officials 'Never' Promised to Shut Nuclear Plant," FBIS-SOV-98-125.
— [2] Radio Vilnius broadcast, 6 May 1998, in "Lithuanian Nuclear Power Station to Continue Operating," FBIS-SOV-98-126.

June 1998: IGNALINA SIGNS NEW FUEL CONTRACT
In June 1998, the Ignalina nuclear power plant signed a contract with the Russian joint stock company TVEL to deliver nuclear fuel. The agreement reportedly covers fuel shipments for the remainder of the reactor's operating life.
— [Igor Kudrik, "Russia will supply Ignalina NPP with fuel: EBRD will shut the plant down," Bellona website, http://www.bellona.no/e/russia/980717.htm.]

22 June 1998: IAEA DIRECTOR SAYS CLOSING IGNALINA STILL PREMATURE
Mohamed El Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, visiting Vienna on 22 June 1998, that he could understand why a country that depended on a single nuclear plant for 82 percent of its electric power could not suddenly phase it out. El Baradei expressed his pleasure with cooperation between Lithuania and the IAEA and mentioned the IAEA's ongoing $100 million technical aid program. Adamkus said that although he had criticized the safety of the Ignalina plant in Soviet times, international programs have greatly increased the plant's safety in recent years.
— [ELTA, 22 June 1998.]

24 July 1998: COMMISSION ESTABLISHED TO CERTIFY IGNALINA STORAGE FACILITY
The Lithuanian Cabinet has established a commission to certify a new open-air waste storage facility at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Stasys Motiejunas, Chairman of the Radioactive Materials Department of the Environment Ministry, was appointed head of the commission. Motiejunas said that the open-air facility will hold 70 containers (to be produced by the German company GNB), which will provide a temporary storage area for spent fuel rods. Lithuania is still considering several options for long-term nuclear waste storage, including deep geological dumps and underground regional dumping sites.
— [BNS, 24 July 1998; in "Ignalina Nuclear Plant Completes Waste Storage Site," FBIS-TAC-98-205]

2 September 1998: CLOSING IGNALINA TOO EXPENSIVE
According to Swedish expert assessments presented at an international seminar on 2 September 1998, the premature closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant will cost $3.3 billion to $3.9 billion.[1,2] Enormous expenses, electricity production losses, and the fact that shifting to thermal stations will cause a 100 percent increase in electricity prices made Lithuania consider other options.[1] According to Deputy Minister of the Economy Viktoras Valentukevicius, replacement of the fuel channels will allow the station to function up to 2020-2025.[2]
— [1] ELTA, 2 September 1998; in "Study Shows High Cost Of Closing Lithuanian Nuclear Plant," FBIS-SOV-98-246.
— [2] "Dosrochnaya Ostanovka Ekspluatatsii Ignalinskoy AES Prichinit Litve Ubytki $3,3-3,9 mlrd - Vyvody Ekspertov," Interfax, 2 September 1998.

3 October 1998: LITHUANIAN PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED ABOUT IGNALINA DECOMMISSIONING
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius said that Lithuania had proposed to European Commission President Jacques Santer and to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development the establishment of an independent international commission for consultation on the possible shutdown of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. According to Vagnorius, the Ignalina nuclear power plant can safely operate until 2015-2020, if it is re-equipped. When asked about financial aid for Ignalina decommissioning, Vagnorius said that according to a Swedish study, the shutdown will cost FFr13 billion (approximately $2.44 billion). Another FFr19 (approximately $3.44 billion) will be needed to ease the transition, both economically and socially, after Ignalina is closed.
— [Philippe Lemaitre, "Three Questions to...," Le Monde, 3 October 1998, p. 4; in "Premier Questioned on Closure of Ignalina Nuclear Plant," FBIS-TEN-98-279]

19 October 1998: IGNALINA SPENT FUEL STORAGE CONSTRUCTION TAKEN OVER BY AECL
The Lithuanian Ministry of the Economy approved Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) as the contractor for the construction of an interim spent fuel storage facility at the Ignalina NPP. The plant management tried to retain their current contractor, Gesellschaft fuer Nuklear-Behaelter mbH (GNB), but they did not succeed. The storage facility is planned to be built on the spot that was intended for the third reactor. However, the contract will not be signed until the government, in consultation with local authorities, approves siting of the facility, which is not expected sooner than the end of 1998. GNB is currently supplying Ignalina with 60 Castor cast iron storage casks, which are going through cold-testing, and is building storage for the casks; construction of a transportation platform is almost finished. The remainder of the plant's storage requirements will be met by AECL. GNB accused AECL of "influence-peddling and misrepresenting GNB." GNB's general manager Ralf Peters stated that he thinks the decision was politically motivated; plant officials did not like the arrangement with AECL either. Initial costs for both the AECL and GNB systems are almost the same, around $19 million. The facility will eventually include four AECL storage modules, each able to hold 64 casks with 102 fuel elements. Construction of the first phase of the facility will include a special transport system, manufactured in Canada, for moving spent fuel from cooling ponds to the storage facility. According to Jurgis Vilemas Director of the Lithuanian Energy Institute, costs will drop significantly after the first phase is completed because most of the manufacturing, including the concrete storage modules, will be done in Lithuania.
— [Ariane Sains, Ann MacLachlan, "Lithuania Approves AECL, Not GNB, For Ignalina Spent Fuel Storage," NuclearFuel, 19 October 1998, pp.14-15.]

20 October 1998: NEW SAFETY SYSTEMS IN IGNALINA-1
According to Lithuanian State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) Head Saulius Kutas, additional safety systems were installed in the first unit of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The reactor was restarted on 16 October 1998. A new computerized system was also assembled to ensure safety and better control of the reactor. By May 1999, VATESI is to prepare a license for the further operation of the reactor. Other repairs are also scheduled for 1999.
— [BNS, 20 October 1998; in "Ignalina Reactor Reported Safer After Repairs," FBIS-SOV-98-293]

1 December 1998: IGNALINA SPENT FUEL STORAGE FACILITY COMPLETED
Construction of the interim spent fuel storage facility at the Ignalina NPP has been completed. According to a Radio Vilnius report, the site has a capacity of 72 containers for spent fuel storage. The plant has purchased 20 storage containers manufactured in Germany and will soon purchase an additional 40 containers. In the future, storage containers will be produced in Lithuania using designs developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL).
— [Radio Vilnius broadcast, 1 December 1998; in "Spent Nuclear Fuel Site Built at Ignalina," FBIS-SOV-98-335.]

12 January 1999: LAW ON RADIATION PROTECTION PASSED
The Law on Radiation Protection governs activities involving sources of radiation and radioactive waste management and seeks to establish a system of protection in order to safeguard the population and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. The law regulates the handling of radioactive waste through issuing, registering, suspending, renewing, and revoking licenses issued by state institutions other than those specified in the Law on Nuclear Energy. All practices shall be conducted in accordance with three basic principles: the economic and social benefits provided by the use of radiation sources must outweigh any harm to human health and the environment; radiation exposure to humans must be as low as is reasonably achievable; and cumulative exposure must not exceed a fixed value. The government shall approve state programs for protection against radiation, oversee living and economic conditions should a radiological accident occur, establish the State Register of Sources of Ionizing Radiation and Exposure of Workers and approve related regulations, and define the responsibilities of ministries and other state agencies in the field of protection against radiation. The law outlines the responsibilities of municipal authorities, the Ministry of Health, and the Radiation Protection Center (the primary license-issuing institution created by Article 7 of this law). The law establishes which activities involving radiation sources must be licensed, which do not require licensing, and which activities are never permitted. Responsibilities of a licensed institution include registering sources of ionizing radiation, minimizing the exposure of workers, enforcing procedures established by the Ministry of Health, taking preventive measures against accidents, informing consumers about protection against radiation, mitigating accidents, and preventing the transfer of radiation sources to unlicensed entities. Products containing sources of radiation are subject to verification of compliance with requirements of the Radiation Protection Center and the Ministry of the Environment. Responsibilities of and restrictions on workers are given. The law stipulates compulsory training of workers in facilities engaged in work involving sources of ionizing radiation and officers of state and local authorities working in the field of emergency management, and establishes the procedure for monitoring workers' health. The law stipulates that radioactive waste and sources of ionizing radiation no longer in use must be handled in accordance with federal laws. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment must establish the procedure for environmental impact studies and inspections of foodstuffs, drinking water, animal feed, and soil. Both ministries are also responsible for keeping public exposure to natural radiation in buildings below the allowable limit. The law stipulates that medical radiation exposure should be kept to a minimum. Principles of entry into international agreements are described, and should the provisions of these differ from this law, the international agreements shall prevail. According to this law, the government of the Republic of Lithuania must approve the state program for radiation protection by 1 August 1999. The law entered into force on 1 April 1999.
["Lithuania. Law on radiation Protection (12 January 1999)," Nuclear Law Bulletin, Supplement to No. 64, December 1999.] {Updated by IPZ on 1/2/01}

25 February 1999: IGNALINA SHUTDOWNS INCREASING
According to a report released by the plant's information center, twice as many unscheduled shutdowns occurred at Ignalina in 1998 as there were in 1997. The reactors at Ignalina were shut down a total of four times during 1998, and twice in January 1999. During the first week of January 1999, Unit 2 was shut down for three days due to a turbine problem. Later in January, Unit 1 was shut down for less than 24 hours when the main circulation pump became disconnected. Twenty minor incidents, rated zero on the INES incident scale, were reported in 1998, but none of these events affected radiation levels or damaged any equipment. According to Thomas Nilsen of the Bellona Foundation, this number of incidents is much higher than would be considered normal at Western nuclear plants, and is high even when compared to other Soviet-built facilities. The report does show, however, that emergency procedures are working.
— Daniel Silva, "Shutdowns rose at Ignalina last year," Baltic Times, 25 February-3 March 1999, p. 6.]

29 March 1999: EUROPEAN REGULATORS SAY IGNALINA CAN'T MEET SAFETY STANDARDS
In a report released on 29 March 1999, the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association reported that the lack of adequate reactor containment and the lower reliability of shutdown systems at the Ignalina nuclear power plant were fundamental weaknesses for which improvements in operational safety could not compensate. While praising the ongoing safety program at Ignalina and encouraging further safety enhancements, the report concluded that the Ignalina reactors could not achieve safety standards comparable to those in force for older reactors in Western Europe.[1] Saulius Kutas, director of the Lithuanian State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI), agreed with the report's finding that his agency needs more resources to monitor the Ignalina plant effectively, but said he had not seen the full report and could not comment on its conclusions on the plant's safety.[2]
— [1] Ann MacLachlan, "Western European regulators say Ignalina can't meet safety norms," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 40, No. 13, 1 April 1999, pp. 1, 10-12.
— [2] Ariane Sains, "More experts needed to monitor Ignalina safety, regulator says," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 40, No. 13, 1 April 1999, p. 12.

19 May 1999: GRENADE FOUND IN IGNALINA TURBINE SECTION
On 19 May 1999, a cleaning lady found a grenade in a restroom in the turbine section of Unit 1 at the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Gennadiy Yefimov, Chief Procurator of the city of Visaginas, could not immediately say whether the grenade contained an explosive charge or was a dummy training model. The incident was referred to the State Security Service for investigation.[1,2] It is not known whether the incident was connected to protests over the impending shutdown of Unit 1.
— [1] "Possible hand grenade found in Lithuania's Nuclear Plant," Interfax, 20 May 1999.
— [2] "Granata na AES," Sovetskaya Belorussiya, online edition, http://sb.press.net.by/archive/1999/05/21/sb107-1u.shtml, 21 May 1999.

20 May 1999: LAW ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE PASSED
The Law on the Management of Radioactive Waste establishes the legal framework for radioactive waste management in the Republic of Lithuania. The law states that the population must be protected from hazards associated with radioactive waste and that the safety of waste management facilities must be guaranteed during and after their operating life. According to the law, the government controls the siting, construction, commissioning, and decommissioning of radioactive waste facilities. The law defines the responsibilities of various government bodies in the field of radioactive waste management: the State Atomic Energy Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) regulates the safety of radioactive waste management through issuing licenses, coordinating waste management programs, establishing the criteria for the classification and acceptance of radioactive waste, and ensuring compliance with requirements; the Ministry of the Economy coordinates the budget for waste management programs with other agencies and ministries and submit them to the government for approval; the Ministry of the Environment regulates the decontamination of nuclear equipment and establishes the maximum permissible contamination levels; and the Radiation Protection Center supervises radiation protection and controls radioactive waste management at the state level. In addition, the law links the agencies through a system of checks and balances, thus creating interdependence. The law defines the licensing procedures and duties of waste producing facilities, which must handle waste properly and safely before transferring it to the Radioactive Waste Management Agency. The law stipulates the establishment of the Radioactive Waste Management Agency under the Ministry of the Economy, defines its function as the primary agency for radioactive waste management and, when required, storage. The agency is governed by a board appointed by the Minister of the Economy. The state licensing body (currently VATESI) reviews the past practices of existing radioactive waste management facilities and issues recommendations to improve measures for protection against radiation. The law outlines the procedures for the commissioning, operation, decommissioning, and post-closure supervision of a waste management facility. The operator of a facility is responsible for developing and implementing a quality control program to be assessed by the state licensing body. The law includes provisions for emergency preparedness, accident prevention, and accident containment. The law defines the penalties for violation of the law and civil liability for nuclear damage. The law addresses the export, import, and transport of radioactive waste and stipulates that international agreements be observed and that waste be sent only to those states that have the capacity to receive it.
["Lithuania. Law on the Management of Radioactive Waste (20 May 1999)," Nuclear Law Bulletin, Supplement to No. 64, December 1999.] {Updated by IPZ on 1/1/01}

21 May 1999: IGNALINA UNIT 1 SHUT DOWN DUE TO LACK OF SAFETY LICENSE
Unit 1 at the Ignalina plant was shut down on 21 May 1999, leaving no operational reactors at the plant, as Unit 2 was shut down for maintenance in March. VATESI delayed the issuance of a license to operate Unit 1 because the unit's safety program was not completed by the 17 May deadline.[1] Unit 1 may remain shut down for up to one month, while Unit 2 is scheduled to resume operation in June. About 40 Ignalina plant workers protested the impending shutdown in Vilnius on 14 May 1999, also demanding the right to sell electricity directly without going through Lietuvos Energija, the state utility company.[2]
— [1] "V Litve ostanovlena ignalinskaya atomnaya elektrostantsiya," Interfax, 22 May 1999.
— [2] Genevieve Zalatorius, "Lithuania: Employees Protest Closing of Nuclear Plant," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website, http://www.rferl.org/.../F.RU.990514141509.html, 16 May 1999.

3 August 1999: BOTH IGNALINA REACTORS BACK IN OPERATION
Unit 1 received a safety license from VATESI on 28 July 1999 and was consequently restarted on 3 August 1999.[1,2] Ignalina's Unit 2, which was shut down for scheduled maintenance on 30 March 1999, resumed operating on 14 June 1999.[3]
— [1] "Litovskiye vlasti razreshili ekspluatatsiyu pervogo energobloka Ignalinskoy AES," Interfax, No.3, 28 July 1999.
— [2] Radio Vilnius, 3 August 1999; in "Ignalina Nuclear Plant Restarts Reactor," FBIS Document FTS19990809000582.
— [3] Agence France Presse, 14 June 1999; in "Ignalina nuclear power plant reopens," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.

17 September 1999: SECURITY IMPROVED AT STRATEGIC FACILITIES
The Border Police Department told Interfax on 17 September 1999 that Lithuania increased the security at strategic facilities and tightened border control after a recent round of bombings in Russia. On the order of Chief Border police Commissar Algimantas Songaila, Ignalina NPP and some strategic oil-related facilities will be guarded more carefully.
— "Lithuania To Beef Up Security At Security At Strategic Facilities After Bombings in Russia," Interfax, 17 September 1999.]

16 December 1999: IGNALINA PREPARED FOR Y2K
"Ignalina nuclear power station is fully prepared to meet the year 2000. Its computer system will ensure safe operation of the station in the critical period," Saulius Kutas, head of the State Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (VATESI), told ITAR-TASS on 16 December 1999. According to Kutas, work performed jointly by the nuclear station staff, independent international experts, and VATESI suggests that "the likelihood of the emergency situation on the critical date is practically zero." On 10 December 1999 VATESI approved a wide-ranging plan drafted by the management of the Ignalina nuclear power station that detailed the steps to be taken in the event of an emergency. According to the plan, a group of nuclear experts and computer specialists will be on duty at the power plant accompanied by managerial staff. Kutas noted that the plant will be in communication with the IAEA and with facilities to the east, which will make the transition to the year 2000 earlier.[1] According to a VATESI press release from 14 December 1999, 11 systems in the plant were not modified or replaced, but they do not affect nuclear safety. Replacement of the systems may be delayed for up to three months because of financial problems. State-of-the-art Western technologies and other safety equipment have been installed at the Ignalina NPP in recent years.[2]
— [I] ITAR-TASS, 16 Decmber 1999, in "Y2K: Lithuanian Nuclear Plant Declared Compliant," FBIS Document FTS19991216000855, 16 December 1999.
— [2] BNS, 14 December 1999, in "Y2K: Lithuania--Ignalina AES Ready for Transition," FBIS Document FTS19991214001370, 14 December 1999.

22 December 1999: RESOLUTION PASSED TO ESTABLISH WASTE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
On 22 December 1999, the Lithuanian government passed a resolution to set up an agency in early 2001 that would supervise nuclear waste handling. A state-owned enterprise will be established to manage all issues related to the storage and disposal of nuclear waste originating primarily at the Ignalina NPP. The government instructed the Ministry of the Economy to draft, by 1 September 2000, a program for nuclear waste management and to make suggestions on funding and staffing for the agency.
— ITAR-TASS, 22 December 1999; in "Lithuania To Set up Nuclear Waste Management Agency," FBIS Document FTS19991223001240.]

22 December 1999: MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON EU FUNDING FOR IGNALINA CLOSURE
On 22 December 1999, Lithuania and the European Union signed a memorandum under which the EU, in the framework of the PHARE program, will provide aid in the amount of Euro 10 million ($10,080,000 as of 22 December 1999) to Lithuania to finance the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, the development of the power engineering industry, and research on alternative energy sources.[1] In October 1999, Lithuania pledged to shut down Unit 1 by 2005 and make a decision on the shutdown of Unit 2 by 2004. "We have committed to provide Lithuania 10 million Euros this year and 20 million annually in 2000-2006, so 150 million are already on the table," said Jean Trestour, head of the Lithuania group at the European Commission's Directorate General for Enlargement.[2] In an interview with Interfax, Ignalina NPP Director Viktor Shevaldin welcomed the signing of the memorandum and confirmed that aid for 2000 is sufficient, but expressed concern that planned allocations of up to Euro 20 million annually from 2000-2006 will not be adequate to cover costs associated with closing Unit 1, especially after 2002. According to Lithuania's Energy Strategy report, approved by the Seimas, the costs associated with closing Unit 1 could amount to $10 billion. Shevaldin said that the problem of closing Unit 1 is unresolved because the Ignalina NPP Closure Fund, consisting of electricity sales revenues, contains 130 million litas ($32.5 million) and grows by only 30-35 million litas ($7.5-8.5 million) annually.[1]
— [1] "YeS vydelit Litve 10 mln. yevro na podgotovku ostanovki Ignalinskoy AES," Interfax, 31 December 1999.
— [2] Agence France Presse, 17 December 1999; in "EU Pledges 150 mln. euros for Ignalina nuclear commissioning," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 January 2000: SWEDEN WILL CONTINUE FUNDING FOR IGNALINA SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
On 27 January 2000, the Ignalina NPP, Lithuania's Minister of the Economy, and the Swedish International Project signed an agreement on cooperation in 2000. Jan Nistad, the director of the Swedish project, told Interfax that the Swedish government will allocate 35 million litas ($8.75 million) for the project in 2000. In addition, the Swedish government plans to invest about 30 million litas ($7.5 million) to fund a project to upgrade security at the facility. Nistad said that the Swedish government will provide Lithuania with financial assistance in the amount of 5 million litas ($1.25 million) to prepare for closing the first unit of the Ignalina NPP, which Lithuania intends to close by 2005. Since 1991 Sweden has allocated 150 million litas ($37.5 million) to Lithuania to improve the safety of the Ignalina NPP.
—["Shvetsiya prodolzhit okazaniye pomoschi Litve v ukreplenii bezopasnosti Ignalinskoy AES," Interfax, 27 January 2000.] {Entered 2/4/00 LBB}

3 February 2000: DOE TO AID IN IGNALINA CLOSURE
US Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and government representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia signed a declaration to continue cooperation on developing the energy sector and preventing the greenhouse effect. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a seminar on investment in the energy sector held near Vilnius, Richardson spoke favorably of Lithuania's decision to close Unit 1 of the Ignalina NPP. Richardson confirmed that the United States will provide assistance as Lithuania seeks funding for the project.
—["SShA i strany Baltii prodolzhat sotrudnichestvo v oblasti energetiki," Interfax, 3 February 2000.] {Entered 2/10/00 LBB]

11 February 2000: IGNALINA GETS LICENSE TO OPERATE SPENT FUEL STORAGE FACILITY
On 11 February 2000, VATESI granted Ignalina NPP a five-year license to operate a dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel.[1] A meeting held on 11 February 2000 in Visaginas, Lithuania, was attended by NPP experts, ministers of the economy and the environment, local leaders, and representatives from the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Physics, and from the Center for Radiation Safety, who discussed a design for the facility, as well as its testing and use. According to Saulius Kutas, an official from VATESI, the facility is in compliance with all nuclear safety standards. Over a year ago, the Ignalina NPP began testing the storage facility where spent nuclear waste is stored in special containers. The facility consists of a 6m high wall of reinforced concrete enclosing an area of 2.1 hectares. According to the design, 72 Castor casks designed and manufactured by Gesellschaft fuer Nuklear-Behaelter mbH (GNB) in Germany can be stored there. Spent nuclear fuel can be stored in the dry storage facility for 50 years.[2]
—[1] "Lithuanian Nuke Gets License for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage," Baltic News Service, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 February 2000.
[2] "Ignalinskaya AES poluchila litsenziyu na ekspluatatsiyu khranilishcha otrabotannogo topliva 'sukhova' tipa," Interfax, 11 February 2000. {Entered 2/14/00 LBB}

2 May 2000: FINANCIAL TROUBLES THREATEN FOREIGN AID
On 2 March 2000 tax authorities seized a bank account belonging to Ignalina NPP, which has failed to pay LTL 400 million ($100 million as of 2 March 2000) in taxes, according to Deputy Minister of the Economy Rimantas Vaitkus. Vaitkus confirmed that the government's lack of funds has been threatening to interrupt international safety enhancement projects at Ignalina. The project contracts require Lithuania to make financial contributions, which it has been unable to do of late.[1,2]
—["Proyekty usileniya bezopasnosti Ignalinskoy AES v Litve mogut byt sorvany iz-za finansovykh problem stantsii," Interfax, No. 1, 2 March 2000.] {Entered 12/21/00 LBN}

2 May 2000: SEIMAS PASSES LAW TO SHUT DOWN IGNALINA REACTOR
On 2 May 2000 the Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) voted 68 to 25 to pass the law On Decommissioning the First Reactor of the State Facility Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.[1] The purpose of the law is to provide the legal underpinning for shutting down Ignalina's Unit 1. The law states that all work to prepare for the shutdown must be completed by 1 January 2005, while the exact date of the final shutdown shall be determined by the government upon consideration of the shutdown program, the shutdown plan, and future financing (both foreign and domestic). By 1 November 2000, the government must develop and approve the shutdown program, which will address the legal, administrative, financial, and technical aspects of the shutdown. Following the shutdown program, Ignalina NPP must develop a shutdown plan (the strategy, procedures, schedule, and sources of funding for taking Ignalina-1 off line) and a preparatory work plan in conformity with Lithuanian legislation on construction, nuclear energy, and other fields. According to the law, the funding for the shutdown will be provided by the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Fund, bank loans, and other sources determined by other Lithuanian legislation. The Lithuanian government will hold talks with providers of foreign assistance, and every year before May 31 will inform the Seimas of the results of these talks and of the status of the decommissioning process. The law requires that complete financial support be guaranteed before each phase of the shutdown process begins. The law also states that renewed investment projects concerning Ignalina must take the shutdown of Unit 1 into account. According to the law, Ignalina NPP is responsible for the safety of Unit 1 before and after the shutdown. Within a month after the law enters into force, the government must present a bill on the Unit 1 decommissioning fund to the Seimas, and by 31 March 2002 must confirm the final plan on decommissioning Ignalina-1. Issues such as licensing, social programs for displaced personnel, and the extent of Ignalina's liability for damages in the event of an accident are covered by other legislation.[2] The passage of this law fulfills Lithuania's promise to the European Union to shut down Ignalina; EU officials have stated that Lithuanian acceptance to the European Union is partially dependent on the closure of this plant
—[1] Lietuvos Rytas, 4 May 2000; in "Paper Slams MPs Against Nuclear Decommissioning," FBIS Document CEP20000505000170.
[2] "Zakon Litovskoy respubliki o snyatii s ekspluatatsii pervogo bloka gosudarstvennogo predpriyatiya Ignalinskoy atomnoy elektrostantsii," Informatsionnyy list, Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Web Site, http://www.iae.lt:80/ic/.../infostr201_ru.htm, June 2000.{Entered on 11/29/00 by IPZ}

20-21 May 2000: DONORS CONFERENCE HELD IN VILNIUS
On 20 and 21 June a conference for the donors supporting the shutdown of Ignalina-1 was held in Vilnius.[1] The list of speakers at the conference included Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, members of the cabinet of Lithuania, and Representative of the European Union Gunter Verheugen.[4] Also present at the conference were representatives of the European Commission, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and delegations from 37 countries (including Russia).[5] The participants discussed the importance of the Lithuanian government's decision to shut down the first unit of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant before 2005; they analyzed the consequences of the shutdown and the restructuring of the energy sector; they evaluated international assistance offered for both aforementioned processes; finally, they pointed out the potential of the Lithuanian energy sector for investors, particularly private ones.[3] The donors were invited to pledge funds to the decommissioning fund established on 13 June 2000 under an agreement signed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Committee. The minimum contribution to the fund was set at EUR1.5 million ($1.4 million as of 26 June 2000).[1] In January 2000, the Ignalina NPP web site listed various estimates of the cost of the shutdown ranging between LTL4 billion and LTL17 billion ($1 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, as of January 2000).[2]
—[1] Ariane Sains, "Donors to Pay for 12 Projects for Ignalina-1 Shutdown," Nucleonics Week online edition, http://www.mhenergy.com, Vol. 41, No. 26, 26 June 2000.
[2] "Yanvarskaya khronika sobytiy: Elektrostantsiya meshayet i Litve i Yevrope," Informatsionnyy list, Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Web Site, http://www.iae.lt:80/ic/.../infostr201_ru.htm, January 2000.
[3] "Donorskaya konferentsiya vselila nadezhdu, chto strany mira pomogut Ignalinskoy AES," Informatsionnyy list, Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Web Site, http://www.iae.lt:80/ic/.../infostr201_ru.htm, July 2000.
[4] "Investory v Litve obsudyat problemu zakrytiya pervogo energobloka Ignalinskoy AES, "Interfax, No. 4, 19 June 2000.
[5] Vladimir Skripov, "Moskva khotela arendovat Ignalinskuyu AES," Vremya MN online edition, http://news.mosinfo.ru/news/2000/.../vm062328.htm, No. 092, 23 June 2000. {Entered on 12/05/00 by IPZ}

21 July 2000: RUSSIA'S OFFER TO LEASE IGNALINA REJECTED
On the first day of a donors conference, Russian Deputy Minister of Atomic Energy Bulat Nigmatulin voiced Russia's proposal to lease the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and take care of its safety, operations, and spent nuclear fuel. Lithuania rejected the offer. Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius pointed out the political dimension of the proposal and confirmed the government's decision to shut down Ignalina-1. He added, however, that Lithuania was prepared to sell electricity to Russia.[1] The idea of Russia operating the facility is not new. In March 2000, Ignalina Managing Director Viktor Shevaldin said that Lithuania should sell Ignalina to Russia, thus solving plant's financial, safety, and social problems. He believed that Russia would be able to run the plant at full capacity, increase electricity export to Belarus, Russia, and Western markets, and earn enough money to finance the decommissioning of the plant. The suggestion was regarded as unrealistic and unpatriotic by the Lithuanian media. Lithuania is apprehensive of losing the independence of its energy sector to Russia and for this reason refused at the last moment to sign an agreement of cooperation between the energy companies of the Baltic states, Russia, and Belarus in 1999.[2]
—[1] "Litva otklonyayet predlozheniye Rossii ne speshit s zakrytiyem Ignalinskoy Atomnoy Elektrostantsii," Interfax, No. 4, 20 June 2000.
[2] Lietuvos Rytas, 31 March 2000; in "Lithuanian Paper on Closure of Ignalina Nuclear Plant," FBIS Document CEP20000401000076. {Entered by IPZ on 12/12/00}

September 2000: RESULTS OF DONORS CONFERENCE
As of September 2000, the list of donors providing financial support for the shutdown of Ignalina-1 includes Ireland (EUR1.5 million [$1.3 million as of 1 September 2000]), Austria (EUR1.5 million), Belgium (EUR1.65 million [$1.47 million]), Denmark (EUR2.7 million [$2.4 million] plus EUR13.5 million [$12 million] for regional development), the European Union (EUR165 million [$146.6 million]), the United States (EUR1 million [$0.9 million] to ensure the safety of Ignalina-2, EUR0.3 million [$0.26 million] for VATESI, and EUR0.2 million [$0.17 million] for the energy sector), Poland (EUR1.5 million for the energy sector), the Netherlands (EUR1.5 million to be paid over the course of three years), Norway (EUR1.5 million), Finland (EUR1.5 million), Switzerland (EUR6 million [$5.3 million] plus EUR7 million [$6.2 million] for bilateral cooperation), and Germany (EUR7 million [$6.2 million]). The Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Japan pledged technological or other non-monetary assistance. The Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, and Germany offered non-monetary assistance in addition to the monetary assistance noted above. The volume and type of assistance from England, Greece, and France will be specified later.
—["Donorskaya konferentsiya zakonchilas," Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Web Site, www.iae.lt:80/.] {Entered by IPZ on 12/07/00}

September 2000: IGNALINA GETS FINANCING FOR WASTE TREATMENT AND STORAGE PROJECT
In September 2000, the Lithuanian government decided to serve as a guarantor for a loan of EUR8.983 million ($7.7 million as of 14 September 2000) to Ignalina. The German bank Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale has agreed to provide the loan over a period of five years. Ignalina intends to use this money to finance the construction of radioactive waste treatment and storage facilities, which will begin in 2002. The total estimated cost of the project is EUR16.343 million ($14 million). The remaining EUR7.63 million ($6.6 million) will come from the plant's own resources.
—["Ignalina to Borrow 9 Million Euros," Baltic Times, No. 224, 14-20 September 2000, p. 10.] {Entered by IPZ on 1/18/2001}

8 February 2003: LITHUANIA PLANS TO BUILD A NEW NUCLEAR REACTOR
Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas announced that Lithuania plans to construct a new nuclear reactor. The two operational Soviet-built RBMK reactors at Ignalina are to be shut down by 2009.[1] As of February 2003, Ignalina provides about 75% of Lithuania's energy.[2] Lithuania's new national strategy is to remain a nuclear energy state, according to Paksas.[1]
—[1] Natalya Smirnova, "Litva budet stroit yadernyy reactor," Vremya-NM, 8 February 2003; in Yadernaya Rossiya Segodnya online edition, http://www.pircenter.org/english/nrt/article.htm, 8 February 2003.
[2] "Ignalinskuyu AES v Litve posle ostanovki srazu demontiruyut," Interfax, 21 November 2002. {Entered 3/14/03 AI}

27 February 2003: NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS DISCUSS OPENING EDUCATION CENTER AT IGNALINA
On 27 February 2003, Interfax reported that Russian and Lithuanian scientists are planning to open an international education center under the auspices of the IAEA at the Ignalina nuclear power plant. According to Pavel Lavritov, one of the project's initiators and director of the West Business Consulting Group, the center will train NPP workers and hold discussions on the future of Ignalina plant. Ignalina Director Viktor Shevaldin believes that the IAEA and the EU should help Ignalina experts find jobs in Europe to ensure that they are not contracted by countries that support terrorism. Although Ignalina is to be shut down in 2005, Lithuania's national concept for energy development calls for the continued use of nuclear power.
["International education center may be opened at Ignalina nuclear power plant," Interfax, 27 February 2003.] {Entered 3/12/03 AI}

19 May 2003: LITHUANIA MAY HAVE TO DELAY IGNALINA CLOSURE
Director of the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) Saulius Kutas stated during a news briefing on 19 May 2003 that it may not be possible to shut down one reactor by 2005, as Lithuania pledged in its National Energy Strategy during EU accession talks in 1999.[1,2] If the closure plan for the plant is delayed by more than a year, costs are estimated to rise by about €29 million (about $33.4 million as of 24 June 2003) per year of delay.[1,3] The Lithuanian government estimates the total cost of plant closure at €3 billion (about $3.45 billion). The EU has resolved to pay €70 million (about $80.5 million) per year until 2006 for shutdown of the plant.[1] One reason for the reactor shutdown delay has been a delay in construction of a new heating plant. Since the reactor provides heat to both the nearby town and the plant itself, it will have to be kept operating at minimal levels until the new heating facility is completed.[1]
[1] "Lithuania To Be Late With Ignalina NPP Closure," Bellona Foundation, 21 May 2003, http://www.bellona.no.
[2] Lithuania's EU Accession Programme 2001-2003, Government of the Republic of Lithuania Web Site, http://www.euro.lt/lpnp/ENG/index.htm.
[3] Baltic News Service, 19 May 2003; in "Delay of Closure Plan of Lithuania's N-Plant May Boost Closure Costs," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://www.lexis-nexis.com. {Entered 6/2/03 AE}

	Updated March 2009