Cleaning up Chernobyl

Contracts to secure the future decommissioning and clean up of the Chernobyl site have been signed in Ukraine.

Donors, including the UK, Ukraine and G8 and EU partners, are contributors to a fund that supported the agreements for the design and construction of the New Safe Confinement and a new Interim Fuel Store.

The UK has so far put £77m towards the international shelter and decommissioning funds, which is being managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The project work covers the construction of a stabilising structure to seal the environment and shield it from water and snow, while also protecting the external environment against the release of radioactivity.

‘Today marks the culmination of 10 years’ work since the G8, EU and Ukraine Government reached agreement on the Shelter Implementation Plan,’ said Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister. ‘The construction planned for the site represents an almost unparalleled engineering challenge.’