The decommissioning of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) is currently the largest project by value underway in Lithuania. The main source of funding for INPP decommissioning is the EU’s Ignalina Programme administrated by the Central Project Management Agency.
Within the decommissioning, INPP now faces the biggest challenge in the history of the plant: the dismantling of its RMBK-type nuclear reactors – also be financed by the Ignalina Programme.
The physical dismantling of the core zone (Zone R3) of the two most powerful RBMK-type reactors ever built, which will begin in 2027, is unprecedented in the world.
INPP is currently carrying out the first preparatory activities for the dismantling of the reactors. On 21 March, a procurement of project management and technical consulting services was announced. These consultations are needed in order to make use of the best international experience in the management and implementation of complex projects. The procedures for this purchase are in progress.
On 27 May, another significant step was taken in preparation for the decommissioning of the reactors: INPP announced the procurement of design services for reactor dismantling technologies.
The procurement and provision of reactor dismantling technology design services is planned to be carried out in stages: during the first stage, the reactor dismantling concept will be developed, during the second stage – technical design, safety analysis report and other licensing and engineering documents.
It is planned that INPP will sign a framework agreement with two separate suppliers for the first stage. Within the scope of the framework agreement, main contracts will be concluded for the selection of reactor dismantling options and the preparation of a conceptual design.
Each designer will be required to offer two engineering solutions. INPP, in consultation with its stakeholders (EC, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, CPMA and VATESI), will evaluate the proposed options and select the best concept, on the basis of which the technical design and licensing services for reactor dismantling will be purchased.
The second stage (technical design, safety analysis report and other documents), focused on the further development of the selected reactor dismantling concept, will be purchased separately.
To avoid conflict of interest, the same supplier will not be able to participate in both reactor dismantling technology design services and project management and technical consulting services contracts.
Tender reference: https://cvpp.eviesiejipirkimai.lt/Notice/Details/2021-670232
