Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Radiation background in the Administrative building area is in average 65 microrentgens per hour, in the Shelter object's Observation pavilion area - 1,08 myllyrentgens per hour.
Controllable parameters of the Shelter object are within the limits established by Operational Regulations. According to monitoring systems data the maximal value of gamma - radiation rate inside the object has made 3403 Rontgens per hour, temperature near to Fuel Containing Materials is +29 degrees on Celsius. Exceeding of control levels of Shelter object condition parameters is not fixed.

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ChNPP Shutdown

Ukraine, showing good will and confirming the intention, stated in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and G7 countries Governments and Commission of the European Union, dated December 25, 1995, made the decision on ahead of schedule Chernobyl NPP decommissioning. The decision on a final shutdown of the Unit 1 was made on November 30, 1996, Unit 2 - on March 15, 1999.
On December 11, 1998 the Law of Ukraine «On the general principles of Chernobyl NPP further operation and decommissioning and transformation of the destroyed fourth Unit of this NPP into ecologically safe system» was adopted.
On March 29 2000 the Resolution ¹ 598 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On Unit 3 ahead of schedule shutdown and Chernobyl NPP final closure" was adopted. On June 5, 2000 during US President B.Klinton visit in Ukraine President of Ukraine L.D.Kuchma for the first time appointed exact date of Unit 3 final shutdown - December 15, 2000.
Interdepartmental (Governmental) Commission on complex solution of Chernobyl NPP problems was established by the Decree of President of Ukraine in April, 2000. Acceptance of the Decision «On measures on social protection of Chernobyl NPP employers and Slavutich town inhabitants in connection with Plant shutdown» in the end of November of the same year defined a complex of measures on social consequences mitigation.
Parliamentary Hearings connected to ChNPP closure was held on December 5 with foreign representatives participation.
On the eve of shutdown, working visit of the President of Ukraine L.D.Kuchma at Chernobyl NPP took place on December 14, 2000. During a meeting with the Plant’s personnel the President has assured, that any worker do not remain without social protection.
On December 15, 2000 at 1.17 p.m. during a tele-bridge Chernobyl NPP- the National Palace "Ukraine" translation by the order of the President of Ukraine Chernobyl NPP Unit’s 3 reactor was forever shutdown by turn of a emergency protection key (EP-5). The Plant ceased electric power generation.

Already in 1994 the joint American - Ukrainian assessment of Chernobyl NPP replacement possibility by other sources of the electric power was made. Also within the framework of this assessment the amount of expenses for decommissioning was identified in $464 million for 15 years.

Based on the cost estimation carried out within the framework of TACIS Program for works on decommissioning and new facilities construction without which Chernobyl NPP shutdown is impossible, cost of works on ChNPP decommissioning (without expenses for shutdown Units maintenance) has been evaluated in 541 millions ECU for 15 years. For the social protection issues solution - $505 million for 6 years.
During all stages of Plant decommissioning safety should be ensured according to existing in nuclear engineering norms and rules. The safety includes performance of a complex of works on Units economic maintenance and on their decommissioning. For safe Units decommissioning ensuring it is necessary to realize four international projects:
- Industrial Heating Plant construction. The contribution of Ukraine is $ 7,5 millions, the contribution of US Department of Energy is $ 22,5 millions.
- Liquid Radioactive Wastes Treatment Plant construction "on turn-key basis". The contribution of Ukraine is 2,3 millions UA grivnas, the contribution of European Bank For Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is 17 millions EUROs.
- Interim Storage Facility -2 construction "on turn-key basis". The contribution of Ukraine is about 36 millions UA grivnas, the contribution of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is 68,47 millions EUROs.
- Industrial Complex on Solid Radioactive Wastes Management construction. The contribution of Ukraine is $2 millions, the contribution of European Union Commission is 40,8 millions EUROs.