Salaspils Research Reactor

The Salaspils Research Reactor (Latvian: Salaspils kodolreaktors) is a former pool-type research reactor in Salaspils, Latvia. It was built for the Institute of Physics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and operated from 26 September 1961 to 19 June 1998. Research at the reactor covered nuclear physics, radiation chemistry and radiobiology.

The facility was partly dismantled after its closure, but decommissioning was still in progress in August 2025.

Establishment and research

The Soviet government authorised construction of the reactor in 1958. It was based on the IRT design developed at the Institute of Atomic Energy in Moscow. The reactor first reached criticality on 26 September 1961. Reconstruction in the mid-1970s increased its thermal power to 5 MW.

Alongside research in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry and radiobiology, the reactor was used to develop radiation dosimeters and produce radioactive preparations for medical use. Latvian scientists also developed a radiation loop that supplied gamma rays for irradiation experiments and work on industrial irradiation processes.

The reactor provided training for specialists from North Korea, Iraq and Libya, which had acquired IRT reactors from the Soviet Union.

Closure and decommissioning

In May 1995, the Latvian government ordered preparations to dismantle the reactor and prohibited further purchases of nuclear fuel. The reactor shut down permanently on 19 June 1998. The government approved a decommissioning plan on 26 October 1999 and revised it in 2004.

Unused nuclear fuel was returned to Russia in 2005, followed by the spent fuel in 2008. By 2019, the reactor had been partly dismantled and was awaiting final decommissioning, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Funding shortages and the need for additional capacity at the Radons radioactive waste repository near Baldone delayed completion of the dismantling work. Decommissioning remained in progress in August 2025, when Latvia's radiation regulator reported delays in completing the dismantling design.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ekmanis, J.; Gavars, V.; Mikelsons, K.; Tomsons, E.; Zeltins, N. (2010). Development of nuclear energetics in Latvia. 21st World Energy Congress. Montreal. pp. 1–3. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia (30 November 2004). "Par Salaspils kodolreaktora likvidēšanas un demontāžas koncepciju" [On the concept for decommissioning and dismantling the Salaspils nuclear reactor]. Likumi.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 "IAEA Mission Says Latvia Committed to Safe and Responsible Management of Radioactive Waste, Sees Areas for Further Enhancement" (Press release). International Atomic Energy Agency. 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 Radiation Safety Centre of the State Environmental Service (August 2025). Republic of Latvia National Report on the implementation of the obligations under the Convention on Nuclear Safety for the 10th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties (Report). pp. 9–11. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "60 gadi kopš Salaspils kodolreaktora iedarbināšanas" [60 years since the start-up of the Salaspils nuclear reactor]. LSM.lv (in Latvian). 22 September 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  6. ↑ Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia (16 May 1995). "Par pasākumiem Salaspils zinātniski pētnieciskā atomreaktora likvidācijas sagatavošanai" [On measures to prepare for the decommissioning of the Salaspils research reactor]. Likumi.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 19 February 2026. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
  7. ↑ Čunka, Judīte (25 September 2021). "Salaspils reaktoram aprit 60; līdz demontāžai vēl vismaz 10 gadi" [Salaspils reactor turns 60; at least another 10 years until dismantling]. LSM.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2026.