On the 26^th of November the Chernobyl NPP site was visited by Mr. Philippe Dubuisson, a newly appointed Counselor of Ambassador of France on nuclear energy issues in Russia and Ukraine, with accompanying persons.

The objective of the visit, as emphasized by Mr. Dubuisson, is to be familiarized with work progress of the projects, implemented with the participation of French companies and financed at the expense of Chernobyl Shelter Fund and Nuclear Safety Account, in which France is one of the largest contributors.

In the course of the visit the guests met with Mr. Igor Gramotkin, the SSE ChNPP General Director, who told them about the latest achievements at the ChNPP site, in particular, about active works on constructing the New Safe Confinement. They visited the Erection Area for constructing this facility and the town of Prypiat.

On November 24, 2012, at the Chernobyl NPP Shelter Object site the first lifting of the East part of the Arch with weight of 5,300 t up to height of 22 m was performed. This has become another achievement in constructing the New Safe Confinement. In total, three lifting operations will be performed for the East part of the Arch.

On 23^rd of November metal structures of the Arch and the jacking system were completely inspected. The load of 100% was imposed on this system by lifting the Arch for 100 mm. Following that, operability of the jacking system was controlled and geodetic survey of position of the Arch’s metal structures and foundations was carried out.

The lifting operations are performed using 40 strand jacks, placed at 10 lifting towers. Each tower is 45 m high.

A great scope of preparatory works was implemented prior to the first lifting of the Arch. The area was cleaned-up from trees, bushes and construction debris, resulted from dismantling of buildings and structures. More than 57,733 m³of technological materials and solid RAW was removed from the Shelter Object industrial site. The Arch’s foundations, lifting towers and the erection area’s platforms of 57,667 m² in area were constructed.

On November 24, 2012, at the Chernobyl NPP Shelter Object site the first lifting of the East part of the Arch with weight of 5,300 t up to height of 22 m was performed. This has become another achievement in constructing the New Safe Confinement. In total, three lifting operations will be performed for the East part of the Arch.

On 23^rd of November metal structures of the Arch and the jacking system were completely inspected. The load of 100% was imposed on this system by lifting the Arch for 100 mm. Following that, operability of the jacking system was controlled and geodetic survey of position of the Arch’s metal structures and foundations was carried out.

The lifting operations are performed using 40 strand jacks, placed at 10 lifting towers. Each tower is 45 m high.

A great scope of preparatory works was implemented prior to the first lifting of the Arch. The area was cleaned-up from trees, bushes and construction debris, resulted from dismantling of buildings and structures. More than 57,733 m³ of technological materials and solid RAW was removed from the Shelter Object industrial site. The Arch’s foundations, lifting towers and the erection area’s platforms of 57,667 m² in area were constructed.

In November this year State Nuclear Regulation Inspectorate of Ukraine initiated state expertise of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the SSE ChNPP’s Design “New Safe Confinement (NSC). Start-up complex – 1 (SC-1). Licensing Package -6 (LP-6). Design “Protective structure with technological life support systems and necessary infrastructure”.

Expertise is performed on the demand of SE “Ukrderzhbudexpertise” as part of the expertise of this Design, which will be reviewed for compliance to the requirement for construction, fire safety, sanitary legislation, environment protection and occupational safety. Completion of the expertise of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Licensing Package LP-6 documents is expected by the end of 2012.

For information. Licensing Package LP-6: Design of the first start-up complex of the New Safe Confinement of the Shelter object (SC-1 NSC) as a whole includes LP-5 (NSC Arch, Arch foundations, sheeting, system of the main cranes, structural elements), technological life support systems and  necessary infrastructure.
SC-1 Design in November 2011 passed comprehensive expertise as part of Licensing Package LP-5 and in early December 2011 was approved by the Emergencies Ministry of Ukraine.
Joint Company NOVARKA – Contractor of SSE ChNPP, performs works within LP-5.