ERBD Grants 135 Million Euros for 2 Chernobyl Projects

According to a May 19 press release, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has agreed to donate 135 million Euros in support of clean up efforts at the Chernobyl Nuclear Facility in northern Ukraine.

The funds appear to be earmarked for support of two key contracts:

• Construction of the New Safe Confinement
• Completion of the Interim Storage Facility-2

As most of you know, the New Safe Confinement will be the replacement for the aging Sarcophagus currently covering the remains of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Plant.  The Interim Storage Facility-2 will be used to deal with spent fuel from Chernobyl reactors 1-3.  Contractors are currently working on design and technical details for both projects.  Final designs are scheduled to be submitted to Ukrainian regulators in spring 2009.

The New Safe Confinement is being funded through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.  Contributing countries include: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Community, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Donations have been made by Iceland, Israel, Korea, Portugal, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

The Interim Storage Facility-2 project is financed by the Nuclear Safety Account.  Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Community, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States have all contributed to this fund.

Even with the EBRD grant, there is not enough money to complete these projects.  It is hoped that the EBRD grant will be a catalyst for additional financing from donor countries.

Information obtained from May 19, 2008 EBRD Press Release