On the basis of the contract signed today, OÜ Inseneribüroo Steiger will start geological investigations at one of the potential sites for a possible small reactor. The works will be carried out in the western part of the land parcel Sonda forest district 150 (cadastral code 90202:006:0780) in the village of Letipea, Viru-Nigula municipality.
First, the locations of the planned boreholes will be marked in the field, and during November Steiger will drill three 90 mm diameter boreholes at depths of 25, 60 and 80 metres to determine the geological conditions.
"A good knowledge of the geological conditions gives us the opportunity to be more precise in our planning and to reduce the risks arising from construction, should the state make a fundamental decision in 2024 in favour of nuclear energy," explained Teet Nurmeoja, the head of Fermi Energia's construction programme. "This is a preliminary study, which only gives a general idea of the geology of the potential site. The decision to build the plant has not been taken today, it can only be made after the national in-depth studies have been carried out, including the identification of a suitable location in the course of the national specific planning," Nurmeoja added.
During drilling operations, it is necessary to move machinery, including. drilling machinery on forest terrain outside roads. On 15 October, RMK has given its consent to carry out the surveys on the condition that the movement of motor vehicles off the roads is coordinated with the West-Viru County Forestry District if there is a risk of damaging the soil or felling trees with a diameter of more than 8 cm and that the work area is used in a well-managed manner. The preliminary geological investigations are co-financed by EAS.
The total cost of the study "Structural geological studies and preliminary design of the foundation of the small reactor in Letipea conditions" (project number RE.5.04.22-0086) is 274 000 EUR and it is co-financed by the EAS RUP Round III for 181 635,88 EUR.
