IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Chornobyl NPP on 18 January.
Mr Grossi was accompanied by the top leadership of IAEA, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, senior management of SNRIU and SAEZM.
One of the objectives of the IAEA delegation’s visit in Ukraine was to establish the continued presence of IAEA at the Ukrainian NPPs, including Chornobyl site.
Purpose of such permanent missions is to decrease the risk of a nuclear incident or accident, and to ensure the nuclear safety, security and physical protection of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants, that are operating in conditions of a full-scale war started by russian federation.
“Soon the IAEA will be permanently present at all of Ukraine’s nuclear power facilities, including Chornobyl. This is an important step in our work to help Ukraine during these immensely difficult and challenging times. Our nuclear safety and security experts will monitor the situation at the plants, assess their equipment and other needs, provide technical support and advice, and report their findings to the IAEA headquarters”, — Rafael Grossi said.
The IAEA continued presence will facilitate the performance of the following functions:
1) Monitoring of the actual situation at the NPPs’ sites by continuous physical presence of IAEA experts.
2) Further identification of the priority needs and areas for future assistance to the nuclear facilities, including the delivery of equipment for nuclear safety and security.
3) Provision of technical advice to the Ukrainian personnel at the nuclear facilities in agreement with the Ukrainian competent authorities.
4) Report to the IAEA and SNRIU on regular basis on status and performance of the functions above.
“We can already say that Chornobyl NPP has almost overcome the consequences of the occupation and continues working on improving safety. The IAEA is a long-time and reliable partner of ChNPP, and we are happy about the initiation of the IAEA’s permanent mission on our site. I hope for a successful development of this cooperation!”, — the Acting Director General of SSE “Chornobyl NPP” Valeriy Seyda comments.