The dismantling and decommissioning of the Vandellós I nuclear power plant step by step

In accordance with the directives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vandellós I nuclear power plant dismantling and decommissioning project is broken down into the following levels:

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Level 1. Preliminary conditioning activities

Following the definitive shutdown of the plant, the owner company Hifrensa unloaded the reactor, removed the spent fuel, conditioned the operating wastes and removed the wastes stored in the graphite silos.

In addition, the carbon dioxide tanks and main turbine-alternator groups were disassembled.

These tasks were completed between 1991 and 1997.

Level 2. Dismantling of structures

Enresa carried out the Level 2 dismantling of Vandellós I in two phases:

• Phase one (February 1998-February 1999)
  • Conditioning of the site for dismantling.
  • Removal of unnecessary conventional structures.
• Phase two (March 1999-June 2003)
  • Performance of the Active Parts Dismantling Plan, including the disassembly of all the structures, components and systems except the reactor shroud, which remained confined and covered by a newly constructed protective structure.
  • Continuation of the dismantling of conventional components.
  • Performance of the Declassification Plan, in order to ensure that the conventional materials were not contaminated and could be managed as such.
  • Transfer of conventional wastes to recycling centres and specialised tips.
  • The low and intermediate level radioactive wastes were sent to the El Cabril centralised disposal facility.
  • Most of the site was released.

Dormancy period

The reactor shroud must remain as a regulated area, restricted and under surveillance for 25 years, the time required for its radioactivity to decay sufficiently for complete dismantling to be addressed.

Level 3. Dismantling of the reactor shroud

The last phase of decommissioning of the plant will be carried out by Enresa on completion of the dormancy period, around 2028, and will consist of removing the reactor shroud and all the internals. The site will then be completely released.