Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Museum

LKTA rinkinys
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 Elektrinės g. 12/1, Drūkšiniai, Visagino sav., Lithuania
 +37065817766

6 km from Visaginas, on the Visaginas–Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant road (KK177).

It is the only former nuclear power plant in the Baltic States. It is sometimes called the "sister" of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as both plants were built with Soviet-made RBMK-type reactors. The first reactor (power unit) of the Ignalina power plant was launched in 1983. A total of four such reactors were planned to be built. Once they were all built, the Ignalina nuclear power plant was to become the most powerful in the world.

The second reactor was supposed to be launched in 1986, but after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, its launch was postponed. In 1987, it was launched. In 1988, at the initiative of the Lithuanian Reorganization Movement, the "Ring of Life" campaign was organized near the power plant against the construction of the third unit. Its construction was preserved, and in 1989 it was stopped. After the accident at Chernobyl, the safety system of RBMK type reactors was modernized, but their development stopped.

The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It gained fame again in 2019 as the filming location for the HBO and Sky UK television miniseries Chernobyl.

In 2010, work began on closing the nuclear power plant. Excursions are organized at the closed power plant and an exhibition hall has been installed.

Used sources and references:

"Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant", in: Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia, 2024, available online: https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/ignalinos-atomine-elektrine .