Technical consultations on the restoration of the New Safe Confinement Arch over the destroyed fourth power unit of the Chornobyl NPP are ongoing. This will require significant investments, so the key task today is to attract as many experts and donors as possible. 

"It is important to thoroughly investigate the nature of the damage caused by the russian attack drone hitting the protective shell of the Arch and to develop a long-term plan to restore the facility and return its protective function," Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, wrote on her Facebook page following a meeting with Balthasar Lindauer, Director of the EBRD's Nuclear Safety Department. 

Mr Lindauer visited the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and saw with his own eyes the extent of the NSC Arch destruction. Together with ChNPP experts, a preliminary vision of its restoration was developed.

The EBRD supports the Ukrainian position: it is necessary to develop long-term plans, taking into account previous construction experience and current wartime challenges. 

According to Svitlana Grynchuk, Ukraine is open to cooperation and stands ready to provide partners and investors with all the necessary information. Nuclear and radiation safety is key to this area.

The meeting participants also touched upon the development of alternative energy in the exclusion zone. This area has exceptional potential for post-war recovery, which will require significant energy resources. The Minister told the partners about the existing solar energy projects and the possibility of their expansion.

"I am grateful to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for supporting Ukraine at all levels. I am confident that together we will overcome this challenge and make Ukraine an even more sustainable and energy efficient country," said Svitlana Grynchuk.