On 26 October, the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant welcomed a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known for his role as Jaime Lannister in the television series Game of Thrones. Since 2016, Coster-Waldau has served as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, supporting initiatives focused on combating climate change and promoting gender equality.
The purpose of the visit was to produce a documentary project highlighting the challenges facing the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Exclusion Zone during the war. The project aims to draw international attention to the need for support in restoring the New Safe Confinement (NSC), protecting the environment and ensuring radiation safety.
During the visit, the delegation met with ChNPP Director General Serhii Tarakanov and recorded interviews with several plant employees. The guests also visited the Chornobyl Heroes Memorial, the unit control rooms of Units 3 and 4, the New Safe Confinement arch, including the Central Control Room Building and the Main Volume, as well as the viewing platform overlooking the Shelter Object.
Particular attention was paid to the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. Discussions focused on the damage sustained by the New Safe Confinement, the need for its restoration and measures to strengthen the energy resilience of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Previously, with UNDP support, a 2 MW solar power plant was installed at ChNPP. The project is aimed at strengthening the energy resilience of the ChNPP's infrastructure facilities.
"As a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has shown a keen interest in radiation safety and environmental protection. In 2022, he visited the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, and now he has also visited the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
During our meeting, we discussed the causes and consequences of the Chornobyl accident. Mr Coster-Waldau asked in-depth questions and showed a genuine interest in the plant's operations and the challenges we face today. We also discussed the importance of ensuring a reliable power supply to the plant's nuclear facilities ahead of the approaching winter, under the conditions of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
I am grateful to Mr Coster-Waldau and the entire UNDP team for their attention to the challenges facing the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, their understanding of our needs and their support," said ChNPP Director General Serhii Tarakanov.
Photo: Oleksii Ushakov (UNDP in Ukraine)
