The foundation stone for the LILW disposal facility was laid in Krško
On Thursday, June 6, 2024 the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob and CEO of ARAO - Agency for Radioactive Waste, Sandi Viršek ceremoniously unveiled the foundation stone for the construction of the low- and intermediate -level radioactive waste disposal site in Vrbina, Krško. The keynote speaker at the event, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob said: "Whatever we do, we do it with future generations in mind."
LILW waste disposal facility in Krško is the largest and most comprehensive project of ARAO. It is a project that is also a project of national importance, as it fulfills the strategic goal of protecting people and the environment from the unnecessary effects of ionizing radiation. As a permanent solution, a landfill is therefore absolutely necessary, as this is the only way to ensure the conditions for long-term management of low- and medium-level radioactive waste in Slovenia.
In his address at the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government has supported investments in knowledge and climate policies since the beginning of its mandate. "If we want to carry out the green transition, we must first address the issue of low-carbon energy sources. The green transition cannot be based only on saving or giving up, but on their combination, and above all on the abundance of low-carbon energy sources," he said.
He added that with this project the government is thinking about the future. "Whatever we do, we have to think about future generations. We must not forget that we have a responsibility towards them," said The Prime Minister
CEO of ARAO, MSc. Sandi Viršek said on the unveiling of the foundation stone: “I am really happy that we have come to the moment where we have laid the foundation stone for the LILW waste disposal. A lot of effort and energy has already been invested in the project. It is a nuclear facility that requires special attention both during placement and planning, and of course also further during the actual construction, operation and closure. I therefore look back with great gratitude and thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the project. I am proud to look at the work of ARAO in the past period, as I believe that we have fulfilled the goals we set for ourselves. The start of construction of such a facility is an important event for ARAO, the local community, as well as the country."
Construction of the LILW waste disposal is also extremely important for the local community, the guests told the mayor of the Krško municipality Janez Kerin, it is an important milestone for the local community and future generations. He added that the future LILW waste disposal is the result of many years of planning, cooperation and efforts by many experts, institutions and organizations. Its purpose is to provide a safe, effective and sustainable solution for the management of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. "The safety of our residents and the environment is our highest priority and I am confident that this facility will achieve the highest standards of safety and quality." he added.
At ARAO, we started work on the construction site in August last year, and as part of the infrastructural arrangement, we carried out the rehabilitation of the access road to the disposal construction site with sidewalks, a bicycle path with associated connections and public lighting, as well as the arrangement of water supply, telecommunications and electricity. We also established physical and technical protection of the nuclear facility.
We are expected to start the most extensive and demanding part of the project, the construction of the nuclear part, this summer. The construction will include the construction of a technological and administrative service facility, the construction of a disposal silo, a hall above the silo, and the installation of a gantry lift.
The investment in the construction of nuclear facilities amounts to just under 93 million euros, and construction is expected to take 42 months. The selected construction contractor is a consortium with leading partner Riko d.o.o. from Ljubljana and partners Kolektor CPG, Nova Gorica, CGP, Novo mesto and Kostak, d.d. from Krško.
