On 23rd March 2016 a press tour for the Ukrainian and foreign journalists to the Chernobyl NPP was organized on the initiative of EBRD. The main objective of the visit was familiarization with status of the international projects being implemented at the ChNPP site and coverage of the progress of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) construction project within the framework of preparation for the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.
During the visit the journalists could personally see the works implemented at the sites. They talked with managers, engineers and technicians of the SSE ChNPP and Contactor – Joint Venture NOVARKA, got their questions answered, made photos and video filming at the Interim Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility (ISF-2) construction site, visited the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant, Shelter observation pavilion and NSC erection area.
A press-conference was hold during the visit. The Director of EBRD’s Nuclear Safety Department Mr. Vince Novak, Head of the State Agency of Ukraine on the Exclusion Zone Management Mr. Vitalii Petruk, SSE ChNPP General Director Mr. Igor Gramotkin, Contractor’s representative – NOVARKA Project Director Mr. Nicolas Caiile, Directors of Project Management Units Mr. Oscar McNeil and Mr. Tim Rea participated in it. The media representatives got competent answers to their questions regarding the future of the ChNPP site and exclusion zone, status and prospects of the international projects’ implementation. In particular, Mr. Igor Gramotkin informed that after completing the second stage – that is the NSC sliding over Power Unit 4 – the third stage will commence: dismantling of the Shelter’s unstable structures and retrieval of fuel-containing masses from it. “These works are the commitment of Ukraine. And now we are developing the conceptual design for implementing these works” – added the General Director.
On his part, the SAEZM’s Head Mr. Vitalii Petruk assured the journalists that all projects are implemented according to the schedule and will be finished in a timely manner.
