New Safe Confinement Movement Completed

The long-expected movement of the New Safe Confinement over the Shelter and Chornobyl NPP Unit 4 damaged after the accident was completed on 29 November 2016.

The ceremony was attended by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, EBRD management, delegates from donor states of the International Chornobyl Shelter Fund and contributors to the Nuclear Safety Account, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, ministries and departments. Experts of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine also visited the event.

The President congratulated all the participants on this historical event.

“The world’s largest manmade accident occurred 30 years ago in Chornobyl. Tens and thousands of heroes in Chornobyl made everything possible to protect the world against nuclear threat. During 260 days of superhuman efforts, the team of 90 thousand of people constructed the sarcophagus designed for exactly thirty years. Thirty years have passed. We stay within the hundreds of meters from the fourth unit and certify the completion of new structure”, Petro Poroshenko said.

According to his words, the New Safe Confinement is a unique building that involved efforts of 28 donor countries. 1 billion 417 million euros was invested, 10 thousand of people were involved into the project.

The President thanked all those who helped Ukrainians to build the arch. He presented state awards to ChNPP employees and other experts who participated in the design and project implementation. Petro Poroshenko rewarded for personal contribution to overcoming consequences of the Chornobyl accident, exemplary performance of duties and high professionalism during the construction of the New Safe Confinement.

“Moving of the Arch is a very important event for Ukraine. Still, I want to stress that this is only the beginning. In November 2017, it is planned to commission the facility and start activities on dismantling of unstable structures. The SNRIU provides regulatory support of project implementation”, said Serhii Bozhko, Chairman of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.

During the final press conference, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak said that Ukraine would appeal to international partners to provide support for ChNPP-4 dismantling in the near future.

Uatom.org Editorial Board