State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate issued permission for discharge of damaged spent nuclear fuel from Chernobyl NPP Units 1, 2

On April 14, 2016, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine made a decision on issuing an individual permission of Series No.000040/9 for performing works and operations on discharge of damaged spent nuclear fuel from Power Units 1 and 2 and its transportation to a “wet type” Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel (ISF-1) to be safely placed and stored. The decision was made based on the results of reviewing the SSE Chernobyl NPP’s statement and a set of substantiating documents, as well as taking into account the positive results of the applicant’s inspection carried out during 06.04.2016-08.04.2016.

According to the aforesaid individual permission, in the nearest time the SSE Chernobyl NPP will start works aimed to release Power Units 1 and 2 from the damaged spent nuclear fuel and transport it to ISF-1. After the completion of these works and operations, the next step will be a decision of the operating organization (i.e. SSE Chernobyl NPP) about loss by these Power Units of a nuclear facility status and their recognition as facilities meant for radioactive waste management, which will be followed by activation of the Chernobyl NPP decommissioning activities.

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