Dismantling of Swedish reactors reaches milestone

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Dismantling of Swedish reactors reaches milestone
Units 1 and 2 of the Oskarshamn plant (Image: OKG)

Since July 2020, the UNNU Consortium – comprising Germany’s NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH and Uniper Nuclear Services GmbH (UNS) – have been dismantling the reactor pressure vessels at Oskarshamn units 1 and 2 and Barsebäck units 1 and 2.

Commenting on the completion of the dismantling of the fourth RPV in December, NUKEM said: “This achievement represents the successful conclusion of an ambitious fleet dismantling project. UNS as the consortium lead, managed post-segmentation and the packaging of the cut RPV components into specialised containers, while NUKEM executed the in-situ segmentation of the RPV and the removal of asbestos insulation between the RPV and the biological shield.”

NUKEM said the dismantling of an RPV – one of the largest and most radioactively contaminated components of a nuclear power plant – requires exceptional precision and strict safety compliance. The RPV was successfully cut into transportable segments and prepared for final disposal.

The process incorporated state-of-the-art technology, including a specially developed flame-cutting method and innovative tools that enabled safe handling of radioactive materials while ensuring the safety of the project team. Additional challenges, such as the removal of asbestos-containing insulation, were systematically addressed through comprehensive planning and design.

“By systematically applying lessons learned, we reduced the dismantling time by nearly half from the first to the fourth reactor, demonstrating a remarkable increase in operational efficiency,” said Sergey Molodtsov, Managing Director of Operations at NUKEM. “The project also shows that even the most complex tasks can be carried out successfully, adhering to all safety and radiation protection requirements, and without any incidents.”

NUKEM CEO Thomas Seipolt added: “The success of this highly technical and organisationally challenging project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all involved stakeholders. We extend our sincere thanks to the licence holders BKAB AB, OKG AB and Uniper’s Swedish ND&D programme as well as to our consortium partner UNS for their dedication throughout the project.”

Uniper announced in December 2018 a “long-term and common strategy” for the demolition of the two-unit Barsebäck plant together with units 1 and 2 of the Oskarshamn plant. Under Uniper’s strategy, the radiological demolition of the four reactors – during which all radioactive waste will be removed from each unit – will be carried out between 2020 and 2028. The total cost of decommissioning the Barsebäck and Oskarshamn units is estimated at SEK10.0 billion (USD918 million).

The two 600 MWe boiling water reactors (BWRs) at Barsebäck, about 30 kilometres from Malmö in southern Sweden, shut down in November 1999 and May 2005, respectively. Oskarshamn 1, a 473 MWe BWR, was shut down in June 2017, while Oskarshamn 2, a 638 MWe BWR, cease operation in 2013.

   

  • Related Posts

    Last Energy seeks site licence for Welsh microreactor plant

    Monday, 17 February 2025 A rendering of the Llynfi Clean Energy Project (Image: Last Energy) The project – officially named Prosiect Egni Glan Llynfi and being developed by Last Energy…

    Damage to Chernobyl shelter being assessed after drone strike

    Monday, 17 February 2025 Workers on the roof of the New Safe Confinement (Image: Stete Emergency Service of Ukraine) The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said on Monday morning there…

    Have You Seen?

    India’s Top Power Firm to Invest $62 Billion in Nuclear Capacity

    • February 17, 2025
    India’s Top Power Firm to Invest $62 Billion in Nuclear Capacity

    Global Warming May Be Reducing Wind Speeds in Europe

    • February 17, 2025
    Global Warming May Be Reducing Wind Speeds in Europe

    Trinasolar Receives World’s First UL 61730 2000V Certification for 210R Modules

    • February 17, 2025
    Trinasolar Receives World’s First UL 61730 2000V Certification for 210R Modules

    Soros to Slim Families Are Plowing Money Into US Shale Oil as Private Equity Retreats

    • February 17, 2025
    Soros to Slim Families Are Plowing Money Into US Shale Oil as Private Equity Retreats

    The West Faces Uranium Shortage Amid Competition From China and Russia

    • February 17, 2025
    The West Faces Uranium Shortage Amid Competition From China and Russia

    Kurdistan Set to Resume Oil Exports in March

    • February 17, 2025
    Kurdistan Set to Resume Oil Exports in March

    Russia Claims OPEC+ Has Not Discussed Delaying Its Oil Supply Increase

    • February 17, 2025
    Russia Claims OPEC+ Has Not Discussed Delaying Its Oil Supply Increase

    Chevron Vice Chairman Confirms Job Cuts

    • February 17, 2025
    Chevron Vice Chairman Confirms Job Cuts

    Masdar, TotalEnergies and EPointZero Sign Framework for Action to Drive Clean Energy Access in Africa and Asia

    • February 17, 2025

    LONGi and Erco Energía Win “Outstanding Project Award 2024” for Pioneering Solar Innovation in Colombia

    • February 17, 2025
    LONGi and Erco Energía Win “Outstanding Project Award 2024” for Pioneering Solar Innovation in Colombia