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    Workshop within the framework of IAEA "IAEA member-states capabilities enhancement in decommissioning projects management" was held at Chernobyl NPP since February 27 till March 3, 2017. During the workshop results of IAEA project on Risks Management in NPPs decommissioning (DRiMa project ) were presented.

    The workshop was attended by experts IAEA, representatives from Chernobyl NPP, as well as Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants and NAEC "Energoatom", the experts involved in DRiMa drafting from Germany, UK, Ukraine, representatives from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia.

    The main workshop purpose to familiarize the participants with the risks assessment methodology in Nuclear Power Plants decommissioning, as well as training in its application. This methodology was developed by IAEA within the DRiMa project implementation. During the workshop specialists took part in the practical sessions under the support of skilled IAEA experts. Initially methodology application was tested at the examples from the posters presentations, provided by the international participants. As a test case Chernobyl Units 1, 2 and 3 decommissioning was proposed for the risks assessment. 

    Upon completion of the official part the workshop participants pointed out the simplicity of the proposed methodology, as well as relevant practical value of the presented risk assessment and management methodology. It was mentioned that the level of such assessment strongly depends on the level of the specialists involved. In addition, it was expressed desire to apply this methodology for decommissioning work planning at Chernobyl NPP.

    On February 8, 2017, a working meeting between Mr. Anatolii Dyriv, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Environmental Policy, Nature Resources Utilization and Elimination of the Consequences of Chernobyl Catastrophe, Mr. Vince Novak, Director of EBRD Nuclear Safety Department, and Mr. Alexander Slavis, Representative of Chernobyl Shelter Fund and Nuclear Safety Account to Ukraine has been held to discuss a number of issues relating to a status of implementing the international projects on Chernobyl site.

    Mr. Vince Novak informed about meetings scheduled for this year of G7 representatives where it is stipulated to discuss a status of implementing the international projects on Chernobyl site.

    The EBRD representatives noticed that year 2016 was the outstanding one for Chernobyl projects, and this gives an impetus for effective cooperation of EBRD and Ukraine in 2017.

    The participants of the working meeting discussed an issue of work completion according to contract time-tables of the international projects on construction of New Safe Confinement, Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel, Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant and Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management. The issue concerning funding starting from 2018 from the State Budget of Ukraine for operation of the mentioned facilities was also taken into consideration.

    The EBRD representatives highly appreciated the progress of Ukrainian party in full implementation of Ukrainian contribution to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund before the end of 2017 which is planned to carry out due to reallocation of savings under the budget programs of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

    The working meeting participants mentioned the necessity to elaborate additional “emergency” decisions related to ensure acceptance of vitrified high-level radioactive waste for long-term storage.

    The EBRD representatives positively perceived the proposal as to hold final meeting of the Assembly of Contributors in Kiev in December 2017.

    Adapted from official web-portal of
    the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

    The project U4.01/10E “Procedures and methods for release of materials from regulatory control” funded by the European Commission has completed successfully as per schedule.  

    Upon completion of the expert review, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (the SNRIU) has issued a positive conclusion regarding the document “Methodology for release of radioactive materials from regulatory control”. The methodology establishes general methodological provisions as basis for the ChNPP and other enterprises, which carry out practical activity in the area of nuclear energy utilization, to elaborate their own definite standards for release of materials from regulatory control.

    Development of “Methodology for release of radioactive materials from regulatory control” is one of the key tasks under U4.01/10E project ““Procedures and methods for release of materials from regulatory control”. Previously, in the framework of this project one more task was completed, namely: elaboration of tender dossier for the following stage - design and construction of a facility for release of ChNPP materials. The EC on basis of the developed documentation held a tender; and on 18.12.2015, the appropriate Contract was awarded and now it is being implemented at the ChNPP.

    From January 23 till January 27, 2017, a number of events take place at Chornobyl NPP in Slavutych in the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation project UKR9035 “Support to ChNPP Decommissioning and RAW Management”. The implementation of project is scheduled for 2016-2017 and it covers activities associated with support to ChNPP decommissioning, Shelter transformation into an environmentally safe system and establishment of national programme for RAW management.

    The IAEA is represented by the manager of national project, Ms Katherine Deufrains, by technical officers in the area of decommissioning, RAW management, safety, area remediation, and by the invited special matter experts. 

    The main objective of the  visit is to summarize the work results under project for 2016, discussion of plans for 2017, and activity scheduling for the following 2018-2019 cycle of technical cooperation.

    The European Commission signed a service contract with IDOM Consulting, Engineering and Architecture S.A.U. (Spain), being a leader in the consortium with another Spain company “GRUPPO DOMINGUIS” and Ukrainian Institute for NPP Operation Support (IOS NPP), under the Project “Improvement of National Personnel Training System in RAW Management, Decommissioning and Area Rehabilitation”.

    The project is aimed at establishment of the coordinated system of occupational training, re-training and advanced training of personnel in Ukraine who perform activities relating to management of radioactive waste (RAW) and spent ionizing radiation sources (SIRS). Safety of these activities, decommissioning-related operations, rehabilitation of the areas contaminated with radionuclides will be improved by means of improving the personnel training system at all levels.

    The State Agency of Exclusion Zone Management of Ukraine is the Beneficiary of the project, and SSE “Chernobyl NPP” and State Higher Educational Establishment “Ukrainian Radiological Training Centre” (URTC) are its end users. It is expected to implement the project during three years.

    1. Factory Acceptance Tests of equipment for ISF-2 completed
    2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    3. Press-tour’s accreditation to Chernobyl NPP is open
    4. SNRCU Board was held

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