Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Museum

Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is located at a distance of 6 km from Visaginas, on the Visaginas-Ignalina road (KK177).
It is the only former nuclear power plant in the Baltic states. It is sometimes called the “sister” of Chernobyl because both plants have Soviet-made RBMK reactors. The first reactor (power block) of the Ignalina Power Plant was commissioned in 1983. It was planned to install four such reactors. After the installation of all the units, Ignalina was to become the most powerful nuclear power plant in the world.
The second reactor was due to be commissioned in 1986, but the Chernobyl accident postponed the start-up. However, in 1987, it was put into operation. In 1988, based on the initiative of the Lithuanian reform movement Sąjūdis, the “Ring of Life” campaign was organised in front of the power plant against the construction of Unit 3. The construction of the plant was conserved, and it was finally stopped in 1989. After the accident at Chernobyl, the safety system of RBMK-type reactors was upgraded but their proliferation was stopped.
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It became famous again in 2019 as the location for the production of HBO and Sky UK TV miniseries Chernobyl. Decommissioning works of the nuclear power plant started in 2010. Nowadays, tours of the plant are organised and an exhibition hall has been set up.