Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant

The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant was once the world's most powerful power plant. Close to the Belorussian border, Ignalina is a unique and compelling site for visitors to understand Soviet technological progress at the turn of the 70s, as well as to take in the happenings of the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. This decommissioned Soviet-era nuclear plant features two-unit RBMK-1500 reactors similar to those at Chernobyl, giving visitors an inside look at the design and operations of this specific type of Soviet RBMK reactor. The Ignalina Power Plant was so similar to Chernobyl that it was the obvious choice to serve as a stand-in for the infamous plant in HBO's acclaimed 2019 series Chernobyl.

When Ignalina's Unit One reactor became operational in December 1983, a design flaw in the RBMK reactor type was identified for the first time. The graphite-displacer tips on the control rods caused a sudden power spike upon insertion into the reactor. Much to the relief of plant workers, Unit 1’s control rods fully descended to the bottom of the reactor, allowing the boron in the rods to halt the nuclear reaction. Although this issue was communicated to other nuclear facilities across the USSR - all of which were operating RBMK reactors - no corrective action was taken until a similar power surge contributed to the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. 

Having been deemed 'unsafe' after the structural error that caused the Chernobyl disaster, the Ignalina facility was decommissioned in the early 2000s as part of Lithuania's accession into the European Union.

By booking a private visit on the plant's website, guests can now walk through control rooms, see reactor components up close, and experience firsthand a site that once generated over 70% of Lithuania’s electricity. Together with the plant, the surrounding town of Visaginas, originally built to house nuclear power plant workers, offers additional insights into Soviet-era infrastructure and lifestyle once experienced in Lithuania. This combination of historical significance, technological insight, and cultural relevance makes Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding area a fascinating and memorable destination for tourists.