A new technical cooperation project between the Chernobyl NPP (ChNPP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been launched. 

Kick-off meetings on the new project - UKR9040 “Supporting Ukrainian Institutions in Addressing National Decommissioning, Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management, including Radio-Ecological Monitoring” - took place online from 10 to 14 August in a virtual discussion forum.

The meeting included representatives of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRIU), the State Agency for the Management of the Exclusion Zone (GAZO ), the State Enterprise Ecocenter, the Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management" (GSP TsPORO), and the State Enterprise Radon Association SSE, as well as Chernobyl NPP and the IAEA. The main objective of the meeting to discuss the project’s work plan for 2020-2021.

The project will last for four years up to and including 2023.

ChNPP management expressed its appreciation to IAEA for the important support provided to Ukraine as part of the previous technical cooperation project (UKR9038) during 2018-2019 and advised the IAEA of the status of activities currently underway at the ChNPP site.

As to the new project, ChNPP expects continued expert support from IAEA for implementation of ChNPP decommissioning activities, radioactive waste management and, in particular, improvement of the facilities which have been commissioned such as the Liquid Waste Treatment Plant, and Free Release Facility which is scheduled to be commissioned shortly. In addition, work will proceed on radwaste characterisation, management of problematic waste, graphite and other materials which had been produced in the course of ChNPP operation and which are being produced during the plant’s decommissioning activities.

Photo: The New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site