en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 27th, The technical assessment report for the repair works of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has been completed.
According to preliminary technical assessments by French companies Bouygues and Vinci, the NSC repair may require approximately €500 million (US$577 million). This protective structure is the world's largest land-based movable structure, designed to allow for the dismantling of the old temporary shelter built months after the 1986 accident and the management of radioactive waste, while also being capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
Currently, the preliminary technical assessment of the damage to this structure has been completed. The assessment identified a series of potential repair activities, including structural stabilization, roof maintenance, external cladding repair, sealing issue resolution, ventilation system restoration, internal structure maintenance, and crane system recovery.
The assessment emphasizes that restoring the full functionality of the protective structure by 2030 is crucial to reduce the risk of steel structure corrosion and ensure long-term safety. However, achieving this goal requires good site access and safety conditions, and construction activities need to commence around the end of 2027. The assessment also notes that the timeline remains uncertain due to factors such as detailed design, regulatory approvals, and procurement strategies.
An accurate cost estimate for the repairs cannot be determined at present, but preliminary estimates suggest the total cost could be around €500 million. In the future, detailed repair designs need to be completed, procurement channels and market conditions confirmed, safety-related constraints clarified, and alignment with regulators and donors achieved to obtain a more accurate cost estimate. The results of this assessment will be submitted to the International Chernobyl Cooperation Account meeting on March 31st. This account was established by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support the comprehensive plan for the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
