Pilot Decommissioning Project at Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant

A NUKEM-led consortium consisting of NUKEM, EWN and WorleyParsons was awarded a contract for the development of a dismantling concept for the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and the implementation of a pilot project for the dismantling of two subsystems of NPP unit 1.

Both reactor units of the Metsamor NPP were shut down shortly after a massive earthquake in 1988. Reactor unit 2 was then restarted in 1995. The project seeks to develop a detailed decommissioning concept for the Metsamor NPP and put the proposed approach to the test in practical terms for two subsystems of NPP unit 1.

The first phase of the project is dedicated to the development of a systematic approach to the decommissioning of the entire NPP to make sure that all necessary licenses, planning activities, tools and processes have been identified and properly finalized before the physical work can start. The second phase of the project was based on the outcomes of the first phase. During the second phase of the project, a pilot decontamination and decommissioning project was launched in a low-risk area. Based on the testing results, work was continued to further refine and optimise the processes with regard to safety aspects. The decontamination and decommissioning techniques used at the Metsamor NPP will also facilitate the implementation of future decontamination and decommissioning projects in a safe and efficient manner despite constantly increasing complexity and risks.