On 3rd of July, the IAEA Assistance Mission completed its work at Chornobyl NPP. The overall objective of the Mission was to provide assistance and support to ChNPP in the area of nuclear safety and security. This event was organized within the Assistance Action Plan (AAP) being implemented by the IAEA.
During the 4-days Mission the experts discussed the current safety and security situation at each facility of the Exclusion Zone. In particular, they were speaking about nuclear security, management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, radiation protection, emergency preparedness and response. In addition to specialists from ChNPP, the Mission was attended by representatives of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU).
The IAEA experts studied the state of physical protection systems of facilities of the Exclusion Zone, and determined a list of needs caused by the seizure from russian forces. These needs were specified after assessing RAW and SNF management activities and a state of occupational radiation protection of workers.
The Assistance Mission also was targeted at prioritizing delivery of equipment related to radiation protection, security and emergency response, and at providing technical advice for restoration of operation of the automated radiation monitoring system in the Exclusion Zone.
During the Mission the international experts also visited SSE “Ecocentre”, Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility under the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Enegroatom”, and State Enterprise “Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management”.
A final Assistance Mission Report will specify aspects of the technical assistance to promote safety and security of facilities and activities at the ChNPP site.
Background
On 28th of April, 2022, the IAEA published a summary report by the Director General on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine.
In the conclusion of that report it is stated ”The IAEA will continue to closely monitor developments in Ukraine, with a special focus on the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, in particular those at the Chornobyl NPP site, nuclear power reactors and radioactive sources and will provide technical assistance for ensuring their safety and security”.
This Assistance Action Plan (AAP) provides for the technical assistance and support to Ukraine in the area of nuclear safety and security. The Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (the P&I Agreement), which was approved by the Board of Governors on 1 July 1959 (see INFCIRC/9/Rev.2) and accepted by Ukraine on 05 October 1966, applies to this AAP.