In Lithuania

Although according to Prof. Kęstutis Makariūnas, nuclear physics was the subject of considerable interest in Lithuania at the very early stages of its development, the history of the use of nuclear energy in Lithuania dates back to the beginning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Project, i.e. in 1974, when the preparatory work for constructing the Ignalina NPP began. Some of the most important dates in the development of nuclear energy in Lithuanian history are as follows:

• In 1978, construction of the only nuclear power plant in the Baltic States – the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant – began. There were originally four reactors planned in the power plant project. However, only two were ultimately built and launched.
• 31 December 1983, the first unit of Ignalina NPP began operating. The world’s biggest reactor was installed, totalling 1.5 million kW, as registered in the Guinness Book of Records. At the same time, construction of the third energy unit began.
• 31 August 1987, the second unit became operational at Ignalina NPP where a second 1.5 million kW reactor had been installed. When this unit was launched, 60 % of the third unit had already been built. However, construction would be stopped shortly after.
• In 1990, the energy system of Lithuania was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Republic of Lithuania.
• 18 November 1991, the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) – the central authorised institution managing nuclear power safety – was established.
• In 1993, Lithuania became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• In 1996, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Republic of Lithuania Law on Nuclear Energy.
• 1 January 1997, the Radiation Protection Centre (RSC) was established.
• In 1999, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Republic of Lithuania Law on Radiation Protection.
• In 1999, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Management of Radioactive Waste.
• 16 May 2001, the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste Management Agency (RATA) was established.
• 10 October 2002, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania approved an updated Lithuanian National Energy Strategy, which stated that it was necessary to ensure the continuity, succession and development of safe nuclear energy.
• In 2002, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the Strategy for the Management of Radioactive Waste.
• 1 May 2004, Lithuania became a member of the European Union, simultaneously becoming a member of the EURATOM.
• 31 December 2004, the first unit of Ignalina NPP was decommissioned.
• In December 2006, the Department of Nuclear Energy was established at AB “Lietuvos energija” to begin the implementation of preparatory works for a new nuclear power plant project in Lithuania.
• In 2007, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Nuclear Power Plant, which turned on the “green light” for the implementation of a new nuclear power plant project in Lithuania.
• 1 February 2008, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed the Republic of Lithuania Law amending the Law on the Nuclear Power Plant.