News

On 21–22 June 2017 State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) took part in the international emergency preparedness exercise ConvEx-3 organized by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  More than 80 states and 11 international organizations participated in the exercise, which proceeded on a real time mode under actual weather conditions.

A severe accident was simulated in the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary. According to the scenario, due to the loss of external power supply in the first cooling circuits of Unit 1 and Unit 2, minor leakages of radioactive material allegedly were detected and the release of radioactive materials into atmosphere began afterwards. Participants of the exercise analyzed potential radiological consequences and exchanged information on what preventive measures – iodine prophylaxis, sheltering, evacuation, restrictions on food and water consumption and access to certain areas – would apply for local residents in this case.

During the exercise, Emergency Centre of VATESI was partly activated for two days and pursued functions of the contact center with other Lithuanian authorities. VATESI specialists exchanged official information from foreign countries received through the IAEA and European Commission‘s information exchange systems, analyzed the course of the accident and predicted the possible consequences, prepared press releases and information for the general public, advised other authorities involved in the exercise.

Beyond VATESI, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Radiation Protection Centre, The State Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior, Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service and The National Security and Crisis Management Unit of Office of the Government also took part in the ConvEx-3 exercise.

Lithuanian authorities evaluated the possibility to act under the National Plan for Protection of Population in Case of Nuclear Accident in a case of severe nuclear emergency outside the territory of Lithuania, forecast the nuclear emergency development and consequences assessment, tested the notification, communication and exchange of information system between the state institutions and assessed possibility to coordinate public communication.

Participation in the IAEA exercises helps to improve preparedness and respond to nuclear accidents of Lithuanian authorities and allows them to test all technical and organizational measures for proper interaction in such situations.