The knowledge gained today is the foundation for future success

INPP together with partners - the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) implementing the project “Safety Enhancement of Ignalina NPP Radioactive Waste Management" have reached an important stage: one of the project indicators -"Number of professional employees participated in the technical meetings" has been completed.

To manage radioactive waste efficiently and safely, the scope of the project includes training and professional development of INPP employees - factors that are especially important and necessary for the success of the entire project. These factors also significantly contribute to INPP's core values and mission - to become a recognized expert on safe and efficient nuclear facility decommissioning and radioactive waste management.

INPP organized 7 technical meetings / seminars remotely. During the meetings, specialists and experts from Sweden, Slovakia, Finland and Spain shared their knowledge about the installation of a deep geological repository, the management of the decommissioning process of a nuclear power plant, as well as methods of chemical, radio and nuclear analysis. Employees had the opportunity not only to improve their skills but also to learn about international best practices in the field of decommissioning. A total of 124 INPP, VATESI and DSA employees together participated in trainings and improved their qualifications during 7 technical meetings.

The active participation and involvement of the project partners is encouraging - DSA and VATESI fully cooperated and actively participated in the seminars, together with INPP specialists helped to ensure their smooth operation in the conditions of a pandemic. That is why the participants evaluated these trainings very positively - in their opinion, it is expedient to organize such training in the future, as the topic of radioactive waste management is very broad and could be continued by sharing experiences and good practices from other countries on decommissioning and radioactive waste management.

DSA representative Roland Kovacs commented: „We are grateful for this unique opportunity to be part of this international cooperation. Norway is currently extending its capacity to deal with nuclear decommissioning and to find long term solution for our own generated radioactive waste. The “virtual journeys” under our common project providing good possibilities for us to test and improve our existing knowledge. Learning from other countries experiences is a vital process for all partners. In these specific areas all of us have important roles and responsibilities. Time by time we need to look back and see what we have achieved so far and exchange our experience with other countries. “

The project “Safety Enhancement of Ignalina NPP Radioactive Waste Management” is funded under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism Programme 2014-2021.