Anti-nuclear Movement in Latvia

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Nuclear Policy in Latvia

Latvia has no nuclear facilities, no plans to build them and no plans to establish a spent fuel management facility[1]. However, it is a shareholder in the Visaginas NPP project.

The Government's opinion on nuclear power is positive. Information available on the website The Cabinet of Ministers states that "On Friday, December 2, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius in conversation have confirmed that the Visagina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) will be economically viable and advantageous project for the people of the Baltic States."[2] In March 2012 the Prime Ministers of all Baltic States met in Lithuania and "reaffirmed their commitment to build the Visaginas power plant promised to work together to make sure progress is maintained"[3]. An article, available on the discussion page of the Ministry of Economics praises nuclear power and lists its benefits[4].

It is difficult to assess the public opinion because nuclear power is not among the major issues or concerns. People in Latvia mostly concentrate their attention on social welfare issues, economics and employment, not energetics. When it is about blogging, media appearance or communication with officials, anti-nuclear people seem to be louder. For instance, in February 2012 several Latvian environmental organizations wrote a letter to the Latvian Prime Minister expressing their negative opinion about this project. Also they asked for answers to several questions, for instance, how much this project will cost to Latvians, how participation in this project will conduce Latvian energo-independence, how the spent fuel will be stored and much will it cost[5].

However, an opinion poll "Whether or not Latvia should participate in the Visaginas project" (taken on July 3-5, 2012) showed that 45 % of respondents are supporting the project (13 % said "definitely yes", 32 % said "rather yes"), 37 % said "no" (15 % - "definitely no", 22 % "rather no"). 18 % had no opinion about this issue.[6] But given that only 500 people participated in this opinion poll, it does not help to clarify the general public opinion.

In past Latvia had a research reactor, which is the only reactor the country has ever had. It is called „Salaspils Research Reactor“ (SRR) and is located in Salaspils, 2 km from the centre of Salaspils city, 25 km from Riga, the capital. SRR was in operation from 1961 to 1998 and was the only civilian research reactor in the Baltics[7]. The plant partook in neutron activation analysis and gamma irradiation for various materials.

Since there are no nuclear power plants in Latvia, the country has a repository only for low and medium level radioactive waste. It is called „Radons“ and is located in Baldone, 5 km from the city of Baldone and 27 km from Riga, the capital[8].

„Radons“ (in operation since 1962) is a near-surface repository for both burial and storage of low and medium level radioactive waste. The repository consists of 2 parts: supervision part and control area with 7 vaults. Only vault No.7 is still in use. The Government plans to extend it but due to various reasons it has not happened yet.

Groups and organizations working on the anti-nuclear field

Organizations/institutions connected to nuclear issues


References