Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant#New unit. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2008. |
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (April 2008) |
New nuclear power plant (abbreviation NNPP) – is a Nuclear_power plant and infrastructure project that will effectively replace the Soviet-era RBMK Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant with a modern Generation III, European_Pressurized_Reactor reactor.
According to Lithuania’s commitments that were assumed while joining EU, the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is to be terminated.
The main VNPP suggestions
- The implementation of the National Energy Strategy in line with the EU energy policy strategy;
- Ensuring energy security in the country and development of the Lithuanian energy sector;
- Ensuring energy supply from diversified, safe, efficient energy sources which do not cause emissions of greenhouse gases;
- Replacement of electricity generation capacities which are lost due to the closure of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant ;
- Ensuring the fundamental interests and national security of the Republic of Lithuania.
VNPP legal suggestions
- 26 January 2006, in the Power conference in Vilnius the representatives of all three Baltic States have made an agreement about the realization study of construction of new Power Plant in this region.
- 27 February 2006, Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian premiers have declared a communiqué in which they have approved the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the region and have invited national power companies to invest in this project.
- 8 March 2006 was signed the memorandum of agreement for the preparation of the realization studies of the construction of a new power plant, it was signed by „Lietuvos energija“, „Latvenergo“ and „Eesti Energia“ leaders.
After 10 July 2007 when Republic of Lithuania Nuclear Power Plant law was inured and 11 July 2007 when the government of Republic of Lithuania have adopted a resolution for Republic of Lithuania Nuclear power plant law implementation, it was initiated an exhaustive review of all legal regulatory enactments (as well as the general control of operation in the Nuclear Power Sector), that forms juridical base for preparatory works, planning, projection, construction and exploitation of a new power plant.
The accelerated development of Lithuanian economy, dependence from the primary Power import from one country, the provided shutdown of Ignalina Power Plant in 2009, the augmented prices of organic fuel have made the Lithuanian government to change the energetic policy. The updated National energetic strategy [1] that was inured in 27 January 2007, states that it is necessary to ensure the continuity, absorption and expansion of safe Nuclear Power; to start using new regional Power Plant to meet the Baltic States and regional requirements not earlier than in 2015.
28 June 2007 the Seimas of Republic of Lithuania enacted and 4 July 2007 President have signed the Nuclear Power Plant law [2]. The document has become effective 10 of July when it was published in “Valstybes Zinios” (“National news”). With this law the Seimas have approved the construction of a New Power Plant in Lithuania and have indicated that a national investor for this project by personal initiative is “Lietuvos energija”.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
The EIA of a New Power Plant is effectuated following the EIA Economical Operation law of Republic of Lithuania, UN Espoo Convention and other valid juridical enactments. The main objective of this project is to ensure that the responsible institution, the Ministry of the Environment which takes the decisions of the admissibility of the activity in the selected terrain, would have in the disposition the information about its probably notable impact to environment and the possibilities to reduce this impact. It is important that Ministry would be familiarized with the public opinion. The Republic of Lithuania Ministry of the Environment have confirmed EIA program in 15 November 2007. The preparation, adjustment and affirmation of an EIA program for the New Power Plant took 24 weeks. EIA report will be prepared and represented for the consideration of Lithuania’s and other States society and public institutions in August 2008. EAI process should be finished in February 2009. “Lietuvos energija” prepares the EAI program for the New Power Plant. Poyry Energy Oy and Lithuanian Energy Institute consortium was chosen in the open concourse.