Sweco to advise on final disposal of nuclear waste in Lithuania
The Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania has awarded Sweco a contract to assess the environmental risks associated with a proposed deep geological repository (DGR) for the final disposal of long-lived radioactive waste. This assessment is a critical component of the complex and lengthy decommissioning process for the nuclear power plant, which is expected to extend over several decades.
The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, which was officially closed in 2009 as part of an agreement with the European Union, is undergoing decommissioning that involves dismantling reactors, managing radioactive waste and ensuring the safe restoration of the site.
As part of this project, Sweco will evaluate the potential impacts to soil, geological layers, groundwater, air quality and biodiversity across 77 candidate repository sites throughout Lithuania. The aim is to ascertain viable solutions that protect the environment, engage the public in the decision-making process, and safely dispose of, isolate, and store radioactive waste for thousands of years. The project, valued at €448,000, commenced in December 2024 and is scheduled to last for one year.
“We are proud to be selected as advisors in this crucial project. This initiative holds significant importance not only for the current residents of Lithuania but also for future generations. A team of Sweco experts will leverage local knowledge alongside Sweco Group’s extensive international experience in nuclear projects and support Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant with identifying the optimal solution for the final storage of nuclear waste,” says Liudas Zalunskis, Managing Director for Sweco in Lithuania.
Sweco has proven expertise in the construction of new nuclear facilities, the maintenance of existing ones, the decommissioning of outdated plants and the management of nuclear waste. With extensive experience from nuclear power projects in various countries, including Sweden, Belgium and Finland, Sweco is uniquely positioned to support clients at all stages of the nuclear lifecycle. It is important to note that Sweco does not provide services related to the core or hot zones of nuclear reactors.
About the client, Ignalina nuclear power plant
The mission of the enterprise is safe and timely implementation of the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant, which operated two RBMK-type reactors, through sustainable management of the legacy of nuclear activities. The final completion of the operation and dismantling of the power plant is planned by 2040, the commitment is to build and operate a deep geological repository by 2080. Read more.
About Sweco’s nuclear experience
Sweco advises and is an expert in all areas of the energy transition, encompassing the production, transmission and storage of various energy types. A balanced mix of fossil-free energy types is essential for effectively addressing the challenges of the green transition, with nuclear power serving as one potential component of this mix. Sweco provides technical advisory services related to permitting procedures, project planning, construction, decommissioning and waste management.
Press photos
• Photo of the Ignalina power plant in Lithuania. Free use, please credit: Getty images/George Pachantouris
• Photo of Liudas Zalunskis, Managing Director for Sweco in Lithuania. Free use, please credit: Sweco