Ignalina Plant International Exchange/Assistance

The Swedish utility Vattenfall AB began supplying Ignalina emergency gear and fire protection equipment after two divers died while working in Ignalina's inlet channels. As of November 1993, Vattenfall had supplied about $125,000 worth of equipment, including protective fire-fighting clothing and fire extinguishers. Vattenfall has also recommended that authorities arrange for more firefighters to protect the plant in an emergency. By early 1994, Vattenfall AB had completed the installation of fire protection systems.

Under a Swedish-Lithuanian agreement, a project to examine Ignalina's fuel channels was launched in 1992. Using non-destructive examination equipment developed by Sweden's ABB Tekniska Röntgencentralen, welds were examined in Unit 2 as the basis for a comprehensive examination program at Unit 1. In addition to conducting the examinations, ABB TRC will train Ignalina technicians in the use of the equipment and supply equipment for non-destructive testing.

In October 1994, Ignalina management requested assistance from Russia's RBMK institute, RDIPE, to review safety improvements planned under the EBRD's NSA grant program. The objective of the review, according to Lithuanian authorities, is to examine whether safety improvements planned under the EBRD-sponsored program will have any negative effect on parts of the reactor that were not the direct focus of the program. About 21,000 ECU ($26,712) from the NSA grant will be used to support RDIPE's work in preparing technical specifications. In addition, 1 million ECU ($1.3 million) from the grant will be used for accident analyses in the safety assessment.

Ignalina Safety Analysis Group. The Ignalina Safety Analysis Group, a component of the country's nuclear safety structure, is devoted to analyzing Ignalina's scientific and technical aspects. The group, consisting of Lithuanian experts, seeks to: