Lithuania Reaches 45% Dismantling Milestone on Second Chernobyl-Type Reactor Block.

RBMK Unit 2 Decommissioning Underway

According to Espreso.tv: Lithuania is making significant progress in dismantling the second unit of its RBMK reactor station, a key condition for the country's accession to the European Union. To date, 45% of the equipment has been removed, with full completion expected by 2049. The closure of this facility was a pivotal step in Lithuania's integration into European institutions, fulfilling a pledge made back in 2004. For context, the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant used the same reactor design as the infamous Chernobyl plant, making its decommissioning a high-priority safety project.

All nuclear fuel rods have been extracted and placed into interim storage for a 50-year period, ensuring safe handling and oversight of the spent fuel. However, a permanent deep geological repository must be constructed for long-term waste management, with a target completion date set for 2090.

Technical Hurdles and Environmental Goals

Project leaders describe the dismantling process as exceptionally challenging. As Bažys stated:

“This will be the most difficult task. But we will be the first in the world to have accomplished it.”

Beyond fulfilling EU requirements, the decommissioning of Lithuania's second RBMK unit represents a major stride toward regional ecological safety. Completing the process by 2049 will stand as a strong testament to the country's commitment to nuclear safety and spent fuel control. The planned construction of a deep geological repository by 2090 further underscores Lithuania's serious approach to tackling the environmental challenges linked to nuclear energy.