EU PHARE project 632.03.01 “Safe long-term storage of the Paldiski sarcophagus and related dismantling activities”
Background and project objective
In the sixties of the last century, the construction of a training facility equipped with nuclear reactors for training nuclear submarine crews was started at the Soviet Army Submariners Training Centre in Paldiski. Later, another, more modern reactor-equipped stand was added to the existing one. Both training facilities were located on the territory within the administrative boundaries of the present city of Paldiski, at Leetse tee 21, also known as the former Paldiski nuclear site. On the nuclear site there was a 208 m long, 40 m wide and 22 m high so-called "Paldiski nuclear power plant". The main building, under the roof of which were located the two teaching buildings and a number of various auxiliary buildings. Both nuclear reactors were used for educational purposes until the end of 1989. In accordance with the agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia, the dismantling of the stands started in 1994, during which the components not directly related to the reactors were dismantled, the reactor sections were hermetically sealed and enclosed in concrete sarcophaguses. In September 1995, the Republic of Estonia became full owner of the training centre. According to the Russian side, the measures they had taken should have ensured the safety and stability of the reactors for at least fifty years.
However, subsequent studies and assessments show that the storage conditions of the reactors at the former Paldiski site fall far short of internationally accepted safety criteria.
The aim of this project is to ensure the effective safe storage of reactors and radioactive waste for a period of at least 50 years, i.e. by rebuilding and/or upgrading the Main Building and the sarcophaguses and interim storage of radioactive waste.
The project is funded by the European Union (PHARE) and AS ALARA.
Major construction works
| Job title | Indicative deadline |
|---|---|
| Design, including. Demolition, construction, ventilation, electricity, physical protection (security and fire safety systems). | April 2006 |
| Monitoring system study and design | April 2006 |
| Electrical works, rebuilding of physical protection systems | April 2006 |
| Demolition works: - Roof construction (west extension of the main building); - Southern part of the main building (301) partly, remaining part of the building internal demolition; - Internal demolition works in the northern part of the main building (302). | July 2006 |
| Construction of a new end wall in the southern part of the main building (301), covering of external walls, installation of new windows. | August 2006 |
| Roofing, flooring, installation of doors and gates. | September 2006 |
| Reactor sarcophagus finishing work | September 2006 |
| Installation and testing of ventilation and dehumidification systems for reactor sections and intermediate storage areas. | October 2006 |
| Installation and testing of reactor sections and intermediate containment monitoring system. | October 2006 |
| Cleaning up | October 2006 |
Contractor: AS Eviko, www.eviko.ee, project manager Matti Käärst, mobile 50 49 426, e-mail elmek.ou@neti.ee.
Owner-occupier: AS Telora-E, www.telora.ee, consultant Toomas Joonsaar, mobile 51 46 710, phone 6505 160; fax 6505 161, e-mail toomas.joonsaar@telora.ee.
The inauguration of the reconstructed main building took place on 11.10.2007. Representatives of the public authorities involved in the project, the main contractors and subcontractors, and journalists attended the ceremony, which was attended by about 70 people. The period for reporting deficiencies (the so-called "guarantee period") runs until 31.10.2008.