Ignalina NPP has signed a procurement contract for the environmental impact risk assessment of the deep geological repository (DGR) for radioactive waste. The procurement contract is with UAB “Sweco Lietuva”.
Under the terms of the deal, worth EUR 448,000, the Swedish capital engineering and architecture company will carry out a comprehensive environmental risk assessment of the installation and operation of the DGR over the coming years. This will include investigating the direct and indirect impacts of the DGR on the environment such as soil and ground depth, air and groundwater, landscape and biodiversity in areas potentially suitable for DGR installation. Sweco Lietuva will also develop recommendations for the significant environmental impact mitigation measures, as well as the assessment methodology.
To date, 77 potential sites in 29 Lithuanian municipalities have been identified, which will be comprehensively investigated and evaluated until 2047. After a complex and detailed investigation it is planned to select the final site for the DGR.
The selection of a specific area for the DGR project requires the evaluation of not only geological aspects, but also social, economic, environmental and material, cultural and historical values, as well as knowledge of the local communities. The public consultation on the DGR installation site selection process was held in March this year and the issues raised mostly related to the possible environmental impact.
“This new stage marks an important step towards sustainable decision-making by involving the wider public in the decision-making process. Once the supplier’s assessment is complete, a comprehensive methodology will be developed and made available to the public. By encouraging active participation, we will invite the public to submit comments and suggestions to ensure that the project solutions are not only technically justified, but also sustainable – in line with the needs and environmental principles of both present and future generations,” says Andrius Vyšniauskas, Manager of the Deep Geological Repository Project at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.
“We are aware of the importance of this project not only for today’s residents of Lithuania, but also for our future generations and of our responsibility for the proper selection of a site for the long-term storage of radioactive waste,” said Liudas Zalunskis, CEO of UAB “Sweco Lietuva”.
