In 2001, the Bulgarian Government decided to refurbish and convert the
research reactor in Sofia into a low-power reactor. Due to this, a partial
dismantling of IRT-Sofia?s old systems and equipment was carried out with the
intention of reusing the concrete bioshield in the construction of the new
low-power research reactor. For a more efficient use of available resources,
an engineering project known as ?The plan for the partial dismantling of
IRT-Sofia equipment as a part of its refurbishment into a low-power research
reactor? was drawn up and has since been successfully implemented.