Spaudos centras
Spaudos centras
At the beginning of July 2024, SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (hereinafter - INPP) made 32.4 million EUR contract with "Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB" (leading partner) and "Westinghouse Electric Spain, S.A.U" for the implementation of dismantling works of Steam Drum Separators and associated equipment located in both INPP Units. At the end of June 2024, the 5.5 million EUR contract was signed with Jacobs Clean Energy s.r.o. for FIDIC Engineer services to support implementation of the dismantlement.
It is expected that the contract concluded with the Swedish and Spanish consortium, which is based on the joint activity agreement, will be implemented within 6 years. The contract was signed following an international tender and one of the largest companies or consortia in the world nuclear energy sector from Sweden, Spain, France, Finland, Germany and Slovakia provided its technical proposals.
"This is one of the most complex dismantling works, not only technologically, but also in terms of radiation protection. Therefore, the dismantling of INPP is moving to the next level, advanced remote-control technologies and innovations being applied by international partners." This will not only allow the work to be carried out within the deadline but will also allow keeping the personnel dose rate within the permissible limits," said Linas Baužys, INPP Director General.
At the end of June, following the international tender, the contract was signed with the Czech company "Jacobs Clean Energy s.r.o." to provide FIDIC Engineer services. During the implementation of the contract, which duration is equivalent to that of the dismantling contract, the FIDIC Engineer will check and provide conclusions and confirmations regarding dismantling, radioactive waste management, radiation safety, robotics, environmental and social impact assessment documents.
According to L. Baužys, the company providing FIDIC Engineer services is one of the three key project participants, in addition to the Employer and the Contractor, who will carry out the dismantling of the Steam Drum Separators. Therefore, the long-term experience of the FIDIC Engineer both in performing the functions of the FIDIC Engineer and participating in various similar nuclear projects will be one of the factors contributing to the successful joint implementation of the project.
The scope of the project includes the development of technological design including Safety Analysis for dismantling of Steam Drum Separators and associated systems (metal constructions, pipelines, heat insulating materials and etc.), design and/or provision of required equipment, dismantling, fragmentation and transportation to the pre-treatment premises. The operations will be carried out in the radiation and contamination-controlled area, classified as class 3, where specific requirements for the radiation protection are applied.
It should be noted that the Steam Drum Separator Dismantling Project is related to another important decommissioning project – Decommissioning of INPP Reactors.
"To ensure the implementation of the project in the shortest possible time, it was decided to apply the methods and techniques already used and proven in the nuclear sector, therefore it was decided to outsource part of the dismantling work to nuclear experts who have extensive work experience in similar nuclear facilities. In the meantime, INPP employees will continue to carry out all waste treatment, decontamination and further handling activities", - notes L. Baužys.
The main function of Steam Drum Separators, steel cylinders with the diameter 2,9m, length 30,9m and weight 300t each, was the separation of steam from steam / water condensate mixture. The steam from the Steam Drum Separators was fed to turbines to produce electricity, and the separated water was returned for multiple circulation.
The Project is financed by Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.Today, one of the INPP main objectives is to implement immediate dismantling works of decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant not leaving future generations with an unreasonable burden of radioactive waste management. The INPP mission is to create a clean environment by sustainably managing the legacy of nuclear activities. After the final operation and dismantling of INPP, it is planned to construct and operate a deep geological repository until 2079 and during this period to establish itself as an advanced new generation enterprise and successfully develop its further activities.