2011-10-20 Ignalina NPP Effectively Uses Allocated Funds
Due to the fact that further financing of SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) decommissioning process depends on the ability to use effectively already allocated funds, INPP is interested in the completion of Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility (project B1) and Solid Waste Management and Storage Facilities (project B234) construction in the shortest time and in the commencement of operation of these objects.
After INPP has raised and made public (European Commission and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have been informed) technical problems of implementation of project B1 that are related to nuclear safety (consortium GNS-NUKEM Technologies GmbH is a Contractor of the project and not able to resolve these problems), the enterprise has been unreasonably accused of trying to impede the implementation of the project. INPP is surprised of being accused of such matters and emphasizes that it would be irresponsible to precipitate the implementation of works without resolving main technical problems which ensure the safe process of unloading, transportation and long-lasting storage of nuclear fuel.
In order to transparently and effectively use every euro from European Union's funds that are allocated for the INPP decommissioning process, the enterprise constantly requires the Contractor to resolve problems which have been stated and raised by INPP, but unsuccessfully. In response to the Contractor's failure to resolve raised problems or non-recognition of them, European Commission has appointed experts who ought to assess these problems. Presently, the analysis of the current situation is being performed and the results are expected.
Problems that hinder the implementation of the project B2/3/4 are both commercial and technical. The Contractor (Nukem Technologies GmbH) continues to work insufficiently and raises claims which reach 80 percent of the initial price of the project. In consideration of existing delays and the need to operate as effectively as possible, INPP is taking efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. However, cooperation on this issue continues to stay still, because the Contractor is unable to substantiate its claims, ensure further project implementation schedule and compliance with Basic Design. INPP seeks the project to serve its direct purpose - management and storage of radioactive waste, and that the implementation of this project would not be only the absorption of EU funds at any cost.
More detailed information on the implementation process of the projects B1 and B2/3/4 and its problems you can find here.
INPP would like to emphasize that over the past few years the enterprise has achieved significant progress ensuring effective and transparent absorption of allocated EU funds. Problems, rises of the projects prices and delays appear only during the implementation of the projects B1 and B2/3/4.
Daiva Rimašauskaitė,
Head of Communication-Spokesperson
El. p. daiva.rimasauskaite@iae.lt
Tel. (8-386) 24442
Ignalina NPP decommissioning activities are co-financed by European Union