Starts comprehensive measurement of Drūkšiai Lake

Category: Press Releases
Published: 2009-05-18

At Drūkšiai Lake, near which the new nuclear power plant will be located, a comprehensive measurement of water temperature and meteorological conditions that will last till autumn has been started. It is carried out by the company "Visagino atominė elektrinė", UAB which is carrying out preparatory works for the new nuclear power plant project. Analysis of collected data will enable to choose an optimal cooling system for the new nuclear power plant and will help to ensure precise compliance with the environmental requirements.

"Collection of as detailed as possible data on the temperature regime of the lake is very important since this is the last year when Ignalina nuclear power plant is operating and the water of Drūkšiai Lake is used for direct cooling thereof. Conclusions of the analysis of these data will enable us to choose an optimal cooling system for the new nuclear power plant", states the Head of the Project Management Office of the company "Visagino atominė elektrinė", UAB Mr. Tadas Matulionis.

In April this year, the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, after having analysed the report on the environmental impact assessment of the new nuclear power plant, decided that with regard to the environmental protection the construction of the new nuclear power plant is admissible and it can be built in the territory of Ignalina nuclear power plant on the shore of Drūkšiai Lake. The Ministry also set the conditions that are to be observed by the company developing new nuclear power plant project. Usage of the water of lake for direct cooling will be limited and an observation (monitoring) system of the temperature of Drūkšiai Lake will be installed.

According to Mr. Tadas Matulionis, a Public Supervisory Committee is established in order to supervise this and other planned projects of Drūkšiai Lake. Representatives of the state environment protection authorities, non-governmental environment protection organisations and scientists with long-term experience in surveys of Drūkšiai Lake were invited to become members of this Committee.

The subsidiary company of the national electric energy company "LEO LT" - UAB "Visagino atominė elektrinė" - is carrying out preparatory works for the project of the new nuclear power plant. "LEO LT" is controlling 100 percent of UAB "Visagino atominė elektrinė" shares.

For more information please contact:
Giedrė Krinicina
Public Relations Manager
Mob. +370 686 66589
www.vae.lt

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