COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATION Accompanying the document Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/101
Date: 2025-09-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, Lithuania, Utena county, decommissioning of power stations, nuclear policy, nuclear power station, nuclear safety, principle of additionality, radioactive waste, waste management

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 3.9.2025  SWD(2025) 256 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATION    Accompanying the document Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/101                    {COM(2025) 476 final} - {SWD(2025) 255 final}  
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The European Union financial assistance programme to Lithuania to decommission the two RBMK-
1500 reactors of the Ignalina nuclear power plant (‘the Ignalina programme’), has been implemented in 
accordance with Lithuania's Accession Treaty. 

Total  financial  assistance  from  the  European  Union  to  Lithuania  for  the  decommissioning  of  the 
concerned reactors as well as for mitigation measures in the energy sector until the end of 2027 will 
sum up to EUR 2.2 billion. The Ignalina programme has been implemented by indirect management 
since its inception through entrusted entities, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 
(EBRD),  as  well  as  by  the  Central  Project  Management  Agency  (CPMA)  of  Lithuania.  The 
implementation  via  the  national  agency  was  established  upon  request  by  Lithuania  with  a  view  to 
increasing  ownership.  Continuing  the  implementation  of  the  programme  through  the  established 
entrusted entities would ensure stability in the safe decommissioning process. 

The  decommissioning  activities  have  so  far  steadily  progressed.  Nuclear  safety  remains  of  prime 
importance  and  the  boundary  conditions  have  not  changed.  The  decommissioning  plan  is  currently 
being revised with specific focus on the schedule, as a result of the conceptual design for the dismantling 
of reactor cores, which represents the most critical project. 

The  continuation  of the  EU  support  ensures that  the  immediate  dismantling strategy  in  Lithuania is 
firmly  pursued  and  the  availability  of  financing  in  a  timely  manner  would  prevent  delays  or  even 
possible discontinuation of the process. Therefore, it is important that the programme be prioritised for 
further EU support in the next MFF (2028-2034). 

Furthermore, the discontinuation of the Ignalina programme could seriously harm the reputation of the 
EU in Lithuania, as Lithuania was relying on Union support for the decommissioning as well as for 
measures mitigating the important effects to its economy. 

The Commission would continue entrusting the implementation of the programme's budget to the pillar-
assessed  entrusted  entities  (indirect  management).  A  Committee  with  monitoring  and  reporting 
functions will continue to be in place, co-chaired by a Commission representative and the Programme 
Coordinator, ensuring engagement and ownership of the Member State.