Connexion

Ukraine ratifies financing agreement with EBRD for Chernobyl

Ukrainian parliament approves agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance the securing of the Chernobyl power plant and its exclusion zone
Sécurisation durable de Tchernobyl

Partagez:

Ukraine has taken a crucial step towards securing the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The Ukrainian parliament has ratified the framework agreement with the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), aimed at financing projects to improve safety in the Chernobyl area, particularly after the damage caused by the Russian invasion. This decision marks an important turning point in the management of one of the world’s most radioactive areas.

Creation of the CICA and the impact of war

The agreement provides for the creation of a mechanism to manage the activities of the ICCA (International Chernobyl Cooperation Account), including securing and dismantling the unstable structures of the original shelter. These projects also aim to restore safety in the exclusion zone and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine, damaged by the Russian occupation. According to Ruslan Strilets, Ukrainian Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, 18 countries have already contributed 14 million euros, with plans to double this amount.

Priorities and use of funds

The funds will be used to restore lost equipment, improve working conditions for employees and purchase fire-fighting equipment to protect ecosystems. The ICCA, created in November 2020 at the request of the Ukrainian government, has expanded its scope since 2022 to include the restoration of nuclear safety and decommissioning capabilities in the exclusion zone.

Progress and challenges for New Safe Confinement

The first CISC grant signed in March 2023 was to support the shelter’s fire safety and safety analysis. A second agreement in February provides for pre-design activities for NSC (New Safe Confinement) and the dismantling of unstable structures. The NSC, completed in 2017, enables remaining radioactive materials to be dismantled remotely and processed for final disposal.

New Safe Confinement structure and capabilities

The NSC, the largest land mobile structure ever built, measures 257 metres wide, 162 metres long, 108 metres high and weighs 36,000 tonnes. Designed to last 100 years, it will enable the 1986 temporary shelter to be dismantled and radioactive waste to be managed in complete safety. This structure is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, class three tornadoes and earthquakes of magnitude 6 on the Richter scale.

Long-term outlook

The EBRD emphasizes that the ICCA’s long-term focus will be on supporting sustainable site infrastructure and the safe management of decommissioning infrastructure at Chernobyl. The impacts of the war will require ongoing assessment, but it is clear that Ukraine’s ability to maintain stable operations has been severely compromised, making the challenges of decommissioning considerably more complex.

  • Populaires ​
Orano launches Project IKE with Oak Ridge office to enrich uranium in the United States
Plug Power CFO buys 650,000 shares to reinforce his position
Rolls-Royce SMR selected to develop UK’s first modular nuclear reactors
AtkinsRéalis and EDF strengthen cooperation to accelerate global nuclear projects
Sinexcel equips 600MW site, a key milestone in China’s electrochemical storage sector
Russia Proposes Converting Iranian Nuclear Excess into Energy Fuel
Russia declares itself ready to retrieve and transform Iran’s excess nuclear materials into fuel, a proposal aimed at easing tense nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Rosatom claims USD 2.9 billion from Finland’s Fortum and Outokumpu
The Moscow Arbitration Court postpones by nine months the trial initiated by Rosatom against Fortum and Outokumpu, seeking nearly three billion dollars following the controversial cancellation of a nuclear project in Finland.
Newcleo enters UK nuclear assessment with lead-cooled modular reactor
The UK regulator has accepted to examine Newcleo’s advanced LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking a first for a modular lead-cooled technology in the country.
Framatome acquires 40% of Selectarc to secure strategic metal supply
Framatome strengthens its control over the nuclear supply chain by acquiring a 40% stake in Selectarc, France’s sole producer of welding filler metals.
UK Unlocks £14 Billion for Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station
The British government officially commits £14.2 billion to develop two EPR nuclear reactors in eastern England, in strategic partnership with the French group EDF, with a final investment decision expected shortly.
Iran accused of illegally obtaining IAEA internal documents
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that confidential documents were acquired by Iran, raising concerns about the country’s cooperation with the agency.
Japan allows nuclear power plants to operate beyond 60 years
A new law extends the operational lifespan of nuclear reactors in Japan, enabling them to run past 60 years to meet rising energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Westinghouse Launches Ambitious $75 Billion Plan for 10 Nuclear Reactors
Westinghouse plans to invest $75 billion in ten nuclear reactors in the United States, responding to a presidential order aimed at significantly accelerating the expansion of nuclear energy in the country by 2030.
Westinghouse Saskatchewan reactor technology
Washington suspends shipments of nuclear equipment to China
The United States blocks export licenses for nuclear equipment to China, amplifying bilateral trade tensions already marked by strategic technology restrictions and possible retaliatory measures.
Moscow seeks IAEA assistance to resolve nuclear dispute with Washington
Russia requests IAEA intervention to resolve the deadlock involving American nuclear fuel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a critical issue for the potential restart of the site currently under Russian control.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its board with former U.S. Department of Energy official
NANO Nuclear Energy has appointed Intel executive and former U.S. Department of Energy leader Seth Berl as an independent director to support its strategy in advanced nuclear technologies.
France: the Cour des comptes urges action on the management of 280,000 m³ of nuclear waste
The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
France: Nuclear revival rejected after amendment error
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court approves $18 billion nuclear contract with KHNP
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Ansaldo Energia signs strategic nuclear agreement with Uzbekistan
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
NuScale receives US approval for 77 MWe modular reactor design
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.
South Korea begins site evaluation for Uganda’s first nuclear reactor
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF blocks Czech nuclear contract with KHNP on legal grounds
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
enCore Energy receives licence for Texas uranium project and begins construction
Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
Iran targeted by resolution plan after secret nuclear activities revealed
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

VERVANT

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS