Proposal to Atomstroyexport to Participate in the Activities for the Chernobyl NPP Shelter Safety Enhancement

The state-owned specialized utility Chernobyl NPP invited the JSC Atomstroyexport to participate in the single bidder's tender for implementation of a package of activities for enhancement of the Shelter safety. On 27-th of August the tender documents were handed to the Head of JSC Atomstroyexport Representative Office Mr. Bitali Dragunov.

The invitation for the single bidder's tender is the evidence of the great confidence of the Ukrainian customer in the Russian company related to the successful completion in the first half of 2007 of the project for civil structures stabilization at Chernobyl NPP Shelter. All the scheduled stabilization activities were performed by the Stabilization Consortium in which the JSC Atomstroyexport is the leader, with good quality, within the period stipulated by the contract and with the proper staff safety level.

A representative of the West Advisor SIP PMU pointed out during the procedure of the tender documentation handing in, that the proposal of the SIP Project Management Group about the single bidder's tender was agreed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development being the Manager of the International Shelter Fund, and that this decision was taken owing to the prestige and high professionalism of the JSC Atomstroyexport.

A new order which Atomstroyexport may receive, covers the repair of the Shelter light roof, the execution of physical protection of the access roads and the supplementary jacking of the supporting beams in order to increase the load on them up to 80%.

As the Leader of the Stabilization Consortium, Atomstroyexport has successfully completed the contract for stabilization activities at Chernobyl NPP Shelter.

The contract was concluded in 2004 within the framework of the SIP Program implementation (Shelter Activities Plan) which is financed by the International Shelter Fund. EBRD is the Fund Manager.

The members of the consortium are also the Ukrainian entities Yuzhteploenergomontazh, Atomenergostroyproekt and the Rovno NPP Construction Management.

Owing to the works which have been performed for more then two years at Chernobyl NPP Shelter under the Atomstroyexport's management the sarcophagus safety has increased and the period of its safety operation has been enlarged by 10-15 years. The completion of the stabilization activities will allow to gain time which is required for the construction of a new safety confinement above the unit which was damaged due to the beyond design basis accident in 1986.

Atomstroyexport is the leading Russian company implementing the inter-governmental agreements on construction of nuclear power facilities abroad. Now it is the only company in the world, which is implementing projects for construction of four nuclear power plants simultaneously outside the country: in China, India, Iran and Bulgaria.

SOURCE: JSC Atomstroyexport

DATE: August 29, 2007

Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Atomstroyexport, East Europe, Safety