BRATISLAVA, July 20, (WEBNOVINY) — The V1 nuclear power plant in Jaslovske Bohunice has entered the final stage of its life cycle. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority has issued a permission for the first phase of the plant’s decommissioning on Tuesday, July 19. The permit was issued based on the application filed by the state-operated nuclear decommissioning company JAVYS on December 17, 2010 and after the European Commission granted its approval. According to JAVYS spokesman Dobroslav Dobak, the permit for decommissioning V1 nuclear plant is the first-ever issued in Slovakia for such a type of nuclear facility. The permit takes effect on Wednesday, July 20 of this year.
The application comprised twenty-one documents that underwent a thorough scrutiny. Among other, the papers contained positions and the decision of the Environment Ministry, a plan of disposal and transportation of radioactive waste and a plan for disposal of conventional waste, documents on the quality system and requirements on the quality of the nuclear facility. Also, part of it was a system for expert training of employees, an internal emergency plan, an analysis of the danger area, limits and conditions of safe decommissioning, a plan for the first decommissioning stage, a concept of decommissioning for the period after the permitted decommissioning stage and the provision of financial coverage of liability for nuclear damage.
Construction of the V1 nuclear power plant started on April 24, 1972. It was carried out by Investicna Vystavba Energetiky Slovenska. Main contractors were Energoprojekt Praha, LOTEP Leningrad, Skoda Praha, Hydrostav Bratislava and SkodaExport Praha. Investment costs amounted to 5.5 billion of Czechoslovak koruna, the then valid legal tender.
The first reactor was connected to the grid on December 17, 1978 and the second on March 26, 1980. During the years of its operation, the power plant generated over 159 million MWh, translating into 5.7-year power consumption in Slovakia. Dobak noted that the plant’s contribution to environmental protection was not negligible. It significantly influenced the environment thanks to a minimum number of fuel transfers, zero oxygen consumption during electricity production and zero emissions, including greenhouse gases.
JAVYS fulfilled the Cabinet’s resolution on early decommissioning of two rectors at V1 in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Subsequently, it commenced activities ensuing from the Shutdown Concept. Immediately after the shutdown of reactors, JAVYS secured their aftercooling and transported spent fuel to the storage pool and from there to interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. The company provided for the disposal and transfer of radioactive waste and gradually disconnected the equipment.
The V1 decommissioning will consists of two stages and is slated to be completed in 2025. The overall costs have been calculated at 1.1 billion euros. The first decommissioning stage in 2011-2015 will cover dismantling of inactive systems and equipment, demolishing of construction objects and disposal of radioactive waste that originates during decommissioning.
JAVYS was founded after the company GovCo, which took over responsibility for the operation of the V1 nuclear power plant as of April 1, 2006 in compliance with the Cabinet’s decision to privatize a 66-percent stake in Slovenske Elektrarne, changed its name. GovCo was founded on July 6, 2005 with the state being its sole stockholder. It was the Economy Ministry that acted for the state. GovCo also assumed responsibility for decommissioning nuclear power plants and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
SITA
