Chernobyl New Safe Confinement

{{Main|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus}}

The original shelter, formally referred to as the Shelter Structure and often called the sarcophagus, was constructed between May and November 1986. It was an emergency measure to confine the radioactive materials within reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The shelter was constructed under extreme conditions, with very high levels of radiation, and under extreme time constraints. The Shelter Structure was moderately successful in confining radioactive contamination and providing for post-accident monitoring of the destroyed nuclear reactor unit; it has been estimated that up to 95% of the original radioactive inventory of reactor 4 remains inside the ruins of the reactor building.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/19/ukraine-funding-chernobyl-arch|title=Ukraine raises $785m to seal Chernobyl under new 'shell'|last=Vidal|first=John|date=19 April 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 March 2018}}

The Shelter Structure is primarily supported by the damaged remains of the reactor 4 building. These are largely considered to be structurally unsound as a result of explosive forces caused by the accident. Three major structural members support the roof of the Shelter Structure. Two beams, usually referred to as B-1 and B-2, run in an east-west direction and support the roof beams and panels. A third, more massive member, the "Mammoth Beam", spans the largest distance across the roof from east to west and assists in supporting the roof beams and panels. The roof of the shelter consists of {{convert|1|m}} diameter steel pipes laid horizontally north to south, and steel panels that rest at an angle, also in the north-south direction.

The Shelter Structure was never intended to be a permanent containment structure.Inside Chernobyl's Mega Tomb, http://www.windfallfilms.com/show/6894/inside-chernobyls-mega-tomb.aspx {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418081150/http://windfallfilms.com/show/6894/inside-chernobyls-mega-tomb.aspx |date=April 18, 2021 }}. Its continued deterioration has increased the risk of its radioactive inventory leaking into the environment. Between 2004 and 2008, workers stabilized the roof and western wall of the shelter. However, construction of the New Safe Confinement was necessary to continue confining the radioactive remains of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor 4.

Further upgrades to the area in preparation for New Safe Confinement construction were completed in 2010. These included road and rail connections, site services (power, water, drains, and communications), facilities for workers (including medical and radiation protection facilities), and the installation of a long-term monitoring system.{{cite web |url=http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/factsheets/chernobyl25.pdf |title=Chernobyl 25 years on: New Safe Confinement and Spent Fuel Storage Facility |date=January 2011 |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |access-date=2 March 2018}}

In 1994, Ukraine's government held an international competition for proposals to replace the sarcophagus.International Competition, 1994. Ukraine Government.

In the autumn of 1992, Design Group Partnership (DGP) of Manchester was invited to assist the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) for the UK's submission for the international competition organized by the Ukrainian government.

DGP's senior management was assembled to generate a solution. David Haslewood suggested an arch, built off-site, and then slid over the existing Soviet-built sarcophagus because:

• Off-site construction would minimize radiation doses of construction workers.
• An arch would fit snugly over the damaged reactor excluding its chimney.
• An arch would be easier to slide than a square box.

Of the 394 entries, only the British submission proposed a sliding arch approach.{{cite journal |title=A second shelter for Chernobyl: Its necessity and feasibility |last1=Smith |first1=Stuart |last2=Lacombe |first2=Herve |date=February 1997 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers |volume=120 |issue=1 |pages=2–14 |doi=10.1680/icien.1997.29157 }} There was no top design choice, but the French submission came as second best with the UK and German proposals coming joint third.

Subsequently, a pan-European study (the TACIS programme) re-examined the proposals of the competition's top three finalists. The study selected the sliding arch concept as the best solution for their further investigations and recommendations, primarily to reduce the chance of the construction workers receiving a harmful dose of radiation. The French consortium named Novarka eventually won the contract for the final sliding arch design.

On 17 September 2007 Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics announced that they won the contract to design and build the New Safe Confinement as 50/50 partners of the French consortium Novarka. The original 432 million euros contract comprises the design and construction of the New Safe Confinement and planned to employ 900 people at its peak.

The consortium collaborated with both foreign and domestic contractors. For example, the arch's structural components were created and constructed in Italy. The cranes were made in the US. A Dutch business handled the lifting and sliding operations, whereas the contractor responsible for the arch cladding was from Turkey. The project has involved workers and specialists from at least 24 countries in addition to Ukraine.

File:1121-Txernobylgo zentral nuklearrerako sarkofago berria-en.svg

The New Safe Confinement design is an arch-shaped steel structure with an internal height of {{convert|92.5|m|1}} and a {{convert|12|m|1|adj=on}} distance between the centers of the upper and lower arch chords. The internal span of the arch is {{convert|245|m|1}}, and the external span is {{convert|270|m|2}}. The dimensions of the arch were determined based on the need to operate equipment inside the new shelter and decommission the existing shelter. The overall length of the structure is {{convert|150|m|1}}, consisting of 13 arches assembled {{convert|12.5|m}} apart to form 12 bays. Vertical walls assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor building seal the ends of the structure.

The arches are constructed of tubular steel members and are externally clad with three-layer sandwich panels. These external panels are also used on the end walls of the structure. Internally, polycarbonate panels cover each arch to prevent the accumulation of radioactive particles on the frame members.

Large parts of the arches were shop-fabricated and transported to the assembly site {{convert|180|m}} west of reactor 4. The steel used in the construction of the tubular members has a yield strength of no less than {{convert|2500|kg/cm2|MPa psi|abbr=on|lk=on}}.

To prevent corrosion of the structure, stainless steel was chosen as the material for the inner and outer walls. An air conditioning system also circulates warm, dry air at 50 Pa between the layers of the panels to further prevent corrosion. Dehumidifiers keep the air below 40% humidity, preventing both condensation and water from dripping into the interior of the structure.{{Cite web |title=New Safe Containment Project Cuts Corrosion Risk at Chernobyl |url=http://www.materialsperformance.com/articles/material-selection-design/2017/02/new-safe-containment-project-cuts-corrosion-risk-at-chernobyl |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=www.materialsperformance.com}}

The New Safe Confinement was designed with the following criteria:

• Convert the destroyed Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor 4 into an environmentally safe system (i.e., confine the radioactive materials at the site to prevent further environmental contamination).
• Reduce corrosion and weathering of the existing shelter and the reactor 4 building.
• Mitigate the potential consequences of a collapse of either the existing shelter or the reactor 4 building, particularly in terms of confining the radioactive dust that would be produced by such a collapse.
• Enable safe demolition of unstable structures (such as the roof of the existing shelter) by providing remotely operated equipment for their demolition.
• Qualify as a nuclear entombment device.

The foundations of the New Safe Confinement were designed to meet the primary requirements:

• They must support the weight of the arches of the New Safe Confinement.
• They must support rail tracks across which the New Safe Confinement can roll {{convert|180|m}} from the construction site into place over reactor 4.
• They must minimize the amount of digging and cutting into the upper layers of the ground, as the upper soil is heavily contaminated with nuclear material from the disaster.

The site of the New Safe Confinement is slightly sloped, ranging in elevation from {{convert|117.5|m}} on the eastern side to {{convert|144|m}} on the western side. The foundation was required to account for this difference without extensive site leveling.

The ground upon which the foundation was built is unique in that it contains a technogenic layer just below the surface that is approximately {{convert|2.5|to|3|m|ft|0}} in overall depth. Radioactive contamination from the accident created the technogenic layer. It consists of various materials including nuclear material, stone, sand, loamy sands, unreinforced concrete, and construction wastes. It is considered unfeasible to determine the geotechnical characteristics of this soil layer. As a result of this, no assumptions about the load-bearing properties of the technogenic layer were made during the design of the foundation.

The water table at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant fluctuates from {{convert|109.9|m|1}} on average in December to {{convert|110.7|m|1}} on average in May.

Several options were considered for the foundation design for the New Safe Confinement. Ultimately, the final design was specified as consisting of three lines of two {{convert|4.50|by|1.00|m|adj=on}} foundation panels, each {{convert|21|m|1}} in length, and a {{convert|4|m|1|adj=on}} high pile cap that reaches to a height of {{convert|118|m}} of elevation. This option was selected to minimize the cost of the foundation, the number of cuts into radioactive soil layers, dose uptake of workers, and risk to the environment from further contamination. The foundation has a slight elevation difference between the area in which the New Safe Confinement was constructed and the final resting area around reactor 4.

Special consideration was necessary for the excavation required for foundation construction due to the high level of radioactivity found in the upper layers of soil. The conceptual designers of the New Safe Confinement recommended the use of rope operated grabs for the first {{convert|0.3|m|1}} of pile excavation for the Chernobyl site. This reduced the direct exposure of workers to the most contaminated sections of the soil. Deeper excavation for the foundation piles were accomplished using hydraulic clam shells operated under bentonite slurry protection.

The foundation is designed to withstand horizontal acceleration structural loads of up to {{val|0.08|u=g}}, as well as to withstand an F3 tornado. The original design for the structure required it to withstand an F1 tornado until an independent beyond-design-basis analysis was carried out to evaluate the effects of an F3 tornado on the structure.

File:Chernobyl NPP Site Panorama with NSC Construction - June 2013.jpg

The system used in the assembly of the New Safe Confinement derived from civilian bridge launching and bridge cantilever methods. The New Safe Confinement was assembled in the following steps:

1. Stabilization of the Shelter Structure to prevent collapse during construction.
2. Excavation and construction of the foundation.
3. Assembly of first and second arches to form Bay 1, installation of east wall on arch 1.
4. Bay 1 was slid East to accommodate the construction of arch 3 and Bay 2.
5. Subsequent sliding of the complete structure and adding of arches and bays to complete the structure.
6. Installation of cranes and large maintenance equipment.
7. Installation of the west wall.
8. Final slide into place over reactor 4.
9. Deconstruction of the fragmentation, decontamination, and auxiliary buildings. (planned)

This process of assembly was deemed advantageous because it took advantage of the designed mobility of the structure to maximize the distance between workers and the reactor building, thereby minimizing their exposure to radiation.

As each bay was completed, infrastructure equipment — including that for ventilation systems, radiation monitoring, plumbing, and electrical was installed.

The New Safe Confinement was constructed {{convert|180|m}} west of reactor 4, and slid into place. Sliding of the structure along foundation rails was a difficult process. It was pushed on Teflon pads by hydraulic pistons, and guided by lasers.{{r|vinci}} {{as of|2018}}, the New Safe Confinement is the world's largest movable land-based structure.{{cite web |title=Chernobyl Shelter To Begin Full Operation In December, Says Ukraine President |url=https://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2018/04/27/chernobyl-shelter-to-begin-full-operation-in-december-says-ukraine-president |website=www.nucnet.org |date=November 29, 2017 |publisher=The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency |access-date=12 September 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170101-a-new-tomb-for-the-most-dangerous-disaster-site-in-the-world |title=A vast new tomb for the most dangerous waste in the world |last=Borys |first=Christian |date=3 January 2017 |website=BBC Future Now |access-date=2 March 2018}}

Two options were initially considered for moving the structure: hydraulic jacks to push the structure forward, or pulling the structure with large, multi-stranded steel cables. The first option would require the relocation of the hydraulic jacks after each push. This process would necessitate more worker interaction with the system and a greater worker exposure to radiation. The second option was initially chosen because it would expose workers to a lower radiation dose, and would have moved the structure into its final position in less than 24 hours. However, the structure was moved using hydraulic jacks, beginning the {{convert|327|m|adj=on}} move on November 14, 2016, and finishing on November 29.{{r|ebrd.com|BBC move}}

The operational phase of the New Safe Confinement involves the demolition of the unstable structures associated with the original Shelter Structure. The goal of demolition has imposed significant requirements upon the load carrying capacity of the arches and foundation of the New Safe Confinement, as these structures must carry the weight of not only the disassembled structure, but also the suspended cranes to be used in demolition.

The New Safe Confinement design includes two bridge cranes suspended from the arches.{{Cite web |title=Chernobyl New Safe Confinement (NSC), Ukraine |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/chernobyl-new-safe-confinement-nsc/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Power Technology |language=en-US}} These cranes travel east to west on common runways and each has a span of {{convert|84|m}}.

Each crane can carry a variety of interchangeable carriages. Three types of carriages have been designed for the New Safe Confinement:

• One typical lifting carriage with a {{convert|50|tonne|lk=on|adj=on}} carrying capacity.
• One secure lifting carriage for shielded transportation of personnel, with a {{convert|50|tonne|lk=on|adj=on}} carrying capacity.
• One carriage suspends a mobile tool platform, extending up to {{convert|75|m}}, that can be fitted with a variety of end actuators useful for demolition.

The cranes' carriage interchangeability allows the rotation of the largest members to be demolished, reducing the overall size of the New Safe Confinement by approximately one arch bay.

After the members to be demolished are removed by crane, they must be fragmented into pieces small enough to decontaminate. It is expected that the primary contamination of most demolished elements will be loose surface dust and can easily be removed. Decontamination will take place using vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, grit blasting (for steel elements), and scarifying (for concrete elements). Once decontaminated to the maximum extent practical, pieces will be further fragmented for eventual disposal. Fragmentation tools include plasma arc cutting torches, diamond circular cutting wheels, and diamond wire cutting. The tools selected for the demolition process were selected based on a number of factors including minimization of individual and collective radiation exposure, the amount of secondary waste generated, the feasibility of remote operation, the cutting efficiency, fire safety, capital cost and operating costs.

The exact methods for disposing of wastes generated by the demolition process have not been determined, and may include on-site burial outside the New Safe Confinement for low-level waste, and long-term storage inside the New Safe Confinement for medium and high-level wastes. {{as of|2018}}, no policy has been decided for the disposal and processing of fuel containing materials.

The following elements of the Shelter Structure are planned for demolition:

The elements that are to be demolished fall into several broad material types:

• Steel
• Flat (roof panels)
• Three-dimensional (pipes, trusses, beams)
• Reinforced concrete
• Pre-cast
• Cast in place
• Debris
• Fragments of steel structures and equipment
• Fragments of reinforced concrete structures
• Materials added after the Chernobyl accident to mitigate its consequences.

For the removal and storage of nuclear waste within the New Safe Confinement area, the strategies for removing waste are split into three systems.{{Cite book |last1=Lidar |first1=Per |last2=Bergh |first2=Niklas |last3=Larsson |first3=Arne |last4=Hedin |first4=Gunnar |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2013 15th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management. Volume 2: Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning; Environmental Remediation; Environmental Management/Public Involvement/Crosscutting Issues/Global Partnering |chapter=Waste Management Strategy for Cost Effective and Environmentally Friendly NPP Decommissioning |date=2013-09-08 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2013-96006 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2013-96006|isbn=978-0-7918-5602-4 }} Disposal of solid nuclear waste had the Vector Radioactive Waste Storage Facility{{cite web |url=http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/press_releases.html?id=47113 |title=News |website=Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine |access-date=July 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720161210/http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/press_releases.html?id=47113 |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}{{better source needed|date=January 2018}} built near to the Chernobyl site, consisting of the Industrial Complex for Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM),{{cite web |url=http://www.nukemgroup.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Chernobyl_Ukraine_Mai2008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203143731/http://www.nukemgroup.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Chernobyl_Ukraine_Mai2008.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-12-03 |title=Industrial Complex For Solid Radwaste Management (ICSRM) at Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant |date=May 2008 |website=Nukem Technologies |access-date=31 July 2008}} a nuclear waste storage site. It is being constructed by Nukem Technologies, a German nuclear decommissioning company, a subsidiary of the Russian Atomstroyexport. This storage is reported to be able to contain {{convert|75000|m3|cuyd|abbr=off}} of material.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Chernobyl-Receives-Nuclear-Waste-Processing-Complex-84344.shtml |title=Chernobyl Receives Nuclear Waste Processing Complex |first=Gabriel |last=Gache |website=Softpedia.com |date=25 April 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1208978222.51/ |title=Nuclear waste storage inaugurated in Chernobyl |website=EU Business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724123431/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1208978222.51/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008}} The storage is for both temporary high level waste as well as low and intermediate level long-term waste storage.{{cite conference |url=https://www.eurosafe-forum.org/sites/default/files/Eurosafe2013/Seminar%202/2.07_Safety_Issues_Construction_Facilities_Vector_Site_SSTC_SNRIU_Paper.pdf |last1=Tokarevskyi |first1=O. |last2=Alekseeva |first2=Z. |last3=Kondratiev |first3=S. |last4=Rybalka |first4=N. |date=November 2013 |title=Safety issues in construction of facilities for long-term storage of radioactive waste at Vector site |conference=Eurosafe Forum 2013 |conference-url=https://www.eurosafe-forum.org/eurosafe2013#Seminar_2 |location=Cologne, Germany |id= inis..[https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:45021661 RN:45021661] |access-date=12 January 2018}}{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=William E. |last2=Ojovan |first2=Michael I. |last3=Jantzen |first3=Carol M. |title=Radioactive Waste Management and Contaminated Site Clean-Up: Processes, Technologies and International Experience |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HRHAgAAQBAJ&q=Vector+Radioactive+Waste+Storage+iaea&pg=PA406 |date=31 October 2013 |publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=978-0-85709-744-6 |pages=404–406}}

The Plant on Liquid Radwaste Management (PLRWM) was constructed to remove, store, and process liquid nuclear waste from the Chernobyl site.{{Cite book |last1=Semenova |first1=Iryna Y. |last2=Steinberg |first2=Nikolay A. |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2001 8th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation |chapter=Chernobyl NPP Decommissioning and "Shelter" Object Transformation: Problems of Activity Coordination |date=2001-09-30 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2001-1177 |pages=997–1000 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2001-1177|isbn=978-0-7918-8017-3 }}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-07 |title=Chernobyl starts tackling its liquid radioactive waste |url=https://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2018-02-chernobyl-starts-tackling-its-liquid-radioactive-waste |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Bellona.org |language=en-US}} Processed liquid is turned into solid waste in 200-L barrels where it can then be stored long-term, at a rate of 2,500 cubic meters a year.{{Cite web |last=Татьяна |first=Грива |title=Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant (LRTP) |url=https://chnpp.gov.ua/en/187-projects/completed-projects/436-2010-09-13-07-21-32436 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=chnpp.gov.ua |language=en-gb}}

Spent fuel is stored long-term in the Spent Fuel Storage Facility. 232 storage containers of nuclear waste can be stored in the facility for an expected 100 years.{{Cite news |title=Ukraine authorizes Chernobyl spent fuel storage |url=https://www.ans.org/news/article-2847/on-35th-anniversary-of-the-chernobyl-accident-ukraine-authorizes-spent-fuel-storage/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=www.ans.org |language=en}}

Even with the distance given from the main reactor during construction of the New Safe Confinement, construction workers were still subject to radiation. Before the slippage procedure began, construction workers may only have been able to stay on the site for 30 minutes at a time due to radiation.{{Cite web |title=Progress at Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1776617288 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=ProQuest |id={{ProQuest|1776617288}} |language=en}} The concrete foundation reduced radiation to workers when assembling the structure, and workers were provided decontaminated housing during construction.

Radioactive dust in the shelter is monitored by hundreds of sensors. Workers in the 'local zone' carry two dosimeters, one showing real-time exposure and the second recording information for the worker's dose log. Workers have a daily and annual radiation exposure limit. Their dosimeter beeps if the limit is reached, and the worker's site access is cancelled. The annual limit (20 millisieverts) may be reached by spending 12 minutes above the roof of the 1986 sarcophagus, or a few hours around its chimney. Workers are required to also check their radiation exposure before they leave the New Safe Confinement as an additional measurement for safety.{{Cite web |title=See Chernobyl's Safe Confinement Shelter |url=https://www.bechtel.com/projects/chernobyl-shelter-and-confinement/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Bechtel Corporate |language=en}}

To minimize radiation to workers when working inside of the New Safe Confinement, many robots and tools are used to interact with objects inside the shelter remotely. The two installed bridge cranes can be operated from within an isolated control room, which allows for demolition to occur without posing risk to any operators.{{Cite book |last1=Parameswaran |first1=N. A. (Vijay) |last2=Chornyy |first2=Igor |last3=Owen |first3=Rob |last4=de Saint Victor |first4=François |title=Proceedings of the ASME 2013 15th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management. Volume 2: Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning; Environmental Remediation; Environmental Management/Public Involvement/Crosscutting Issues/Global Partnering |chapter=Unique and Massive Chernobyl Cranes for Deconstruction Activities in the New Safe Confinement |date=2013-09-08 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2013-96346 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/icem2013-96346|isbn=978-0-7918-5602-4 }} For the radiation mapping that occurs within the New Safe Confinement, robots have been deployed in both areas of high contamination where humans cannot enter and replacing routes that operators would normally take.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=Boston Dynamics' Spot Is Helping Chernobyl Move Towards Safe Decommissioning |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/boston-dynamics-spot-chernobyl |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=IEEE Spectrum |language=en |first=Evan |last=Ackerman}}{{Cite web |title=Radiation-mapping robots deployed at Chernobyl |url=https://www.ans.org/news/article-3332/radiationmapping-robots-deployed-at-chernobyl/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Nuclear Newswire |publisher=American Nuclear Society (ANS) |language=en |date=October 13, 2021}}

Boston Dynamics' Spot model has been implemented in areas of higher radiation to provide detailed radiation mapping without causing additional radiation spikes by minimizing contact points with radiated surfaces. Without posing risk to workers, the implemented systems were able to look inside reactor 4, deep within the New Safe Confinement.{{Cite web |title=Bristol team gains unprecedented access to Chernobyl's Reactor 4 |url=https://www.newswise.com/articles/bristol-team-gains-unprecedented-access-to-chernobyl-s-reactor-4 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Newswise |language=en |date=7 October 2021 |author=University of Bristol}}

{{main|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant drone strike}}

On 14 February 2025, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian drone attack significantly damaged the confinement.{{Cite web |title=Russian drone attack damages Chernobyl nuclear plant’s shelter, Zelensky says|url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/russian-drone-attack-damages-chernobyl-nuclear-plant-s-shelter-zelensky-says-20250214-p5lcbh.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |via=The Age|language=en|agency=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-14 |title=Update 275 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-275-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=IAEA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Howard |date=2025-02-14 |title=Hole Blasted By Drone In Chernobyl's Radiation Shield: What We Know |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/hole-blasted-by-drone-in-chernobyls-radiation-shield-what-we-know |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}} The power plant released a statement indicating that the outer cladding of the structure had been penetrated and that the inner cladding had been damaged as well, with ongoing fires in the layer of insulation. The innermost layer of the structure was not breached, because the drone struck the northern garage of the gantry crane, which received structural damage but was not fully penetrated.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/kh1n65Cj7-E?t=1547 |title=Chernobyl Has Been Breached. It's Worse Than We Thought. |date=2025-03-02 |last=Hill |first=Kyle |type=Podcast |time=25:47}} Russia denied it was responsible, and the IAEA has not attributed blame to either side.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/chernobyl-protective-shelter-damaged-by-drone |title=Chernobyl's protective shelter damaged 'by drone strike' |website=World Nuclear News |date=14 February 2025 |access-date=16 February 2025}}

There has been concern about Ukraine's ability to properly maintain the New Safe Confinement, with Deputy project manager Victor Zalizetskyi stating that "It looks like Ukraine will be left alone to deal with this structure"{{Cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/chernobyl-new-shelter-contain-radioactive-debris-inaugurated-news-ukraine/68462cef-bb16-47b3-989d-ed0b63f52231|title=Ukraine will 'struggle' to maintain new Chernobyl shelter|website=www.9news.com.au|date=July 11, 2019 }}

The New Safe Confinement was originally intended to be completed in 2005, but the project suffered lengthy delays.

Major project milestones include:

; March 2004 : An international tender for New Safe Confinement design and construction is announced. Two bid candidates are identified, but in September 2006 the plant's general director Ihor Hramotkyn announces his intent to annul all bids on the project.

; September 17, 2007 : The project contract is signed, with French consortium {{ill|Novarka (consortium)|lt=Novarka|de|Novarka}} (consisting of Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Construction as 50/50 partners) constructing the {{convert|190|by|200|m|abbr=off}} arch structure. Construction costs are estimated at $1.4bn with a project time of five years. The estimated time for completion is given as 53 months, including 18 months of planning and design studies, with a projected completion in mid-2012.

; 2009 : Progress is made with stabilization of the existing sarcophagus, which is then considered stable enough for another 15 years.

; September 2010 : Novarka begins construction.

; April 2011 : Some project milestones, including infrastructure and preparatory work such as the New Safe Confinement pilings, are completed.

; April 2012 : Steel erection begins.

; November 26, 2012 : The first sections are raised.{{r|3n121126|sfg121127}}

; June 13, 2013 : The second lifting operation on the eastern arch is performed.

; April 2014 : The fully lifted eastern arch is moved {{convert|112|m|abbr=off}} eastward on its rails to a parking position to clear the construction area for building the western arch.

; August 4, 2014 : The western arch completes the second of three lifting operations which raises the height of the arch.

; November 12, 2014 : Successful completion of the third ascent of the western part arches.

; April 2015 : The two arches are fused, and the west wall is under construction.

; April 2016 : Construction of the arches is completed.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/1-7b-giant-arch-block-chernobyl-radiation-next-100-years-n544721 |title=$1.7B Giant Arch to Block Chernobyl Radiation For Next 100 Years |agency=Reuters |website=NBC News |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=20 November 2016}}

; November 14, 2016 : The arch slipping procedure begins.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37978482 |title=Chernobyl disaster: Giant shield begins move towards reactor |date=14 November 2016 |website=BBC News |access-date=30 November 2016}}

; November 29, 2016 : The New Safe Confinement slipping is completed, taking a total of fifteen days.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ebrd.com/news/2016/unique-engineering-feat-concluded-as-chernobyl-arch-has-reached-resting-place.html |title=Unique engineering feat concluded as Chernobyl arch has reached resting place |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=30 November 2016 |publisher=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development}} It is pushed on Teflon pads by hydraulic pistons, guided by lasers.{{cite web |url=https://www.vinci.com/vinci/actualites.nsf/8B8A50CC6F1891E8C1258079005011BA/$File/VINCI_RV_Dossier_de_presse_Tchernobyl_GB.pdf |title=Chernobyl New Safe Confinement: a one-of-a-kind project |date=29 November 2016 |page=21 |website=Vinci SA |access-date=2 March 2018 |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425122521/https://www.vinci.com/vinci/actualites.nsf/8B8A50CC6F1891E8C1258079005011BA/$File/VINCI_RV_Dossier_de_presse_Tchernobyl_GB.pdf |url-status=dead }}

; November 2017 : Development company Rodina begins construction on the first PV project to be developed within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. 3,762 solar modules will be installed at the site with a generation capacity of {{val|1|u=MW}}.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pv-tech.org/news/rodina-begins-construction-on-first-pv-project-inside-chernobyl-exclusion-z |title=Rodina begins construction on first PV project inside Chernobyl exclusion zone |website=PV Tech |date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=17 November 2017 |language=en}}

; December 2017 : Construction completion is delayed until late 2018 due to a contractor being unable to finish its work in time.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/07/c_136806475.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206203326/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/07/c_136806475.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |title=Ukraine postpones Chernobyl reactor safety cover |website=Xinhua News Agency |access-date=20 November 2017}} The reason is the extremely high level of radiation, forcing workers to limit their presence at the site.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/tschernobyl-fertigstellung-des-sarkophags-verzoegert-sich-a-1184230.html |title=Strahlung zu hoch: Fertigstellung des Tschernobyl-Sarkophags verzögert sich |last=Seidler |first=Christoph |date=20 December 2017 |language=de |magazine=Spiegel Online|access-date=20 December 2017}}

; January 2019 : Various subsystems are in operation, including the radiation monitoring system, the back-up power supply system, the fire protection system, as well as lighting, communication, and HVAC.{{cite web |date=8 February 2019 |title=Chernobyl confinement structure systems begin operation – World Nuclear News |url=http://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Chernobyl-confinement-structure-systems-begin-oper |access-date=9 February 2019 |website=world-nuclear-news.org |publisher=World Nuclear Association}}

; April 25, 2019: Successful conclusion of the 72-hour trial operation test.{{Cite web |title=Delivery of the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |url=https://www.vinci.com/vinci.nsf/en/press-releases/pages/20190710-1745.htm |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=VINCI |language=en}}

;July 2019 : Construction on the €1.5 billion structure is completed and the sarcophagus is opened to media visits on July 3.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/01/what-should-we-do-with-radioactive-nuclear-waste|title=What should we do with radioactive nuclear waste?|last=Vidal|first=John|date=2019-08-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-08-02|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/chernobyl-nuclear-confinement-shelter-revealed|title=Chernobyl's $1.7B nuclear confinement shelter revealed after taking 9 years to complete|last=Dedaj|first=Paulina|date=2019-07-03|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-02}} On July 10, government officials, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attended a ceremony where the transfer of ownership of the New Safe Confinement was given to the Ukrainian government.

;February 24, 2022: During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces subsequently captured Chernobyl.{{Cite web |title=Chernobyl nuclear plant targeted as Russia invades Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/chernobyl-nuclear-plant-targeted-as-russia-invades-ukraine |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} While there is an increase in radiation in the area, this is due to Russian forces disturbing the soil in the Red Forest and releasing radioactive dust and not from the reactor 4 itself.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-29 |title=Unprotected Russian soldiers disturbed radioactive dust in Chernobyl's 'Red Forest', workers say |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/unprotected-russian-soldiers-disturbed-radioactive-dust-chernobyls-red-forest-2022-03-28/ |access-date=2022-05-06}} The New Safe Confinement is reportedly unharmed.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Explained: Why did Russian troops seize control of Chernobyl nuclear disaster site? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-did-russia-capture-chernobyl-power-plant-7791238/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

;March 31, 2022 : Russian forces leave Chernobyl and the New Safe Confinement.{{Cite web |last=Varenytsia |first=Cara Anna and Inna |title=A nuclear risk 'nightmare'? After seizing Chernobyl, Russian troops exposed themselves to radiation. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/ukraine/2022/04/20/russia-chernobyl-ukraine-cold-war/7386241001/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

;February 14, 2025: A Russian attack drone hits the New Safe Confinement unit which catches fire and is damaged, but the IAEA reports the inner structure is not breached and radiation levels have not risen outside.{{Cite web |last=Tarasova-Markina |first=Daria |title=Russia drone attack hits Chernobyl nuclear plant, radiation levels normal |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/europe/russia-ukraine-drones-chernobyl-intl-hnk |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=CNN |language=en-US}}

{{clear}}

File:New Safe Confinement.jpg|alt=|The New Safe Confinement (NSC) under construction in 2013

File:Chernobyl NPP Site Panorama with NSC Construction - June 2013.jpg|alt=|A panorama view of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in June 2013. The NSC construction area is the arch on the left-hand side

File:New-safe-confinement-April-2015-IMG 8747.jpg|The NSC under construction in April 2015

File:New Safe Confinement March 2016.jpg|alt=|Construction in March 2016

File:New Safe Confinement at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant October 2016 1.jpg|alt=|The NSC nearing completion in October 2016

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is responsible for managing the Shelter Implementation Plan, including overseeing the construction of the New Safe Confinement.{{cite book |last1=Onishi |first1=Yasuo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AKTjYeWO5E0C&pg=PA248 |title=Chernobyl – What Have We Learned?: The Successes and Failures to Mitigate Water Contamination Over 20 Years |last2=Voitsekhovich |first2=Oleg V. |last3=Zheleznyak |first3=Mark J. |date=3 June 2007 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-4020-5349-8 |page=248}}

• Nuclear and radiation accidents and incidents

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-152004040/ukraine-may-hold-new.html |title=Ukraine may hold new tenders on Chernobyl safety facility |work=BBC Monitoring International Reports |date=27 September 2006 |access-date=January 3, 2013 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508065142/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-152004040/ukraine-may-hold-new.html |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6999140.stm |title=Chernobyl to be covered in steel |website=BBC News |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=20 May 2010}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.bouygues.com/document/?f=press-room/en/bouyguesconstruction_chernobylsarcophagus_17092007_us.pdf |title=Vinci and Bouygues sign contract to build Containment Shelter for the Chernobyl Sarcophagus |access-date=19 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002175055/http://www.bouygues.com/document/?f=press-room%2Fen%2Fbouyguesconstruction_chernobylsarcophagus_17092007_us.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2011}}

{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Workers-raise-first-section-of-new-Chernobyl-shelter/tabid/1160/articleID/278425/Default.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223005245/http://www.3news.co.nz/Workers-raise-first-section-of-new-Chernobyl-shelter/tabid/1160/articleID/278425/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2013 |title=Workers raise first section of new Chernobyl shelter |date=28 November 2012 |work=3 News |agency=Associated Press }}

{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/first-section-new-shelter-chernobyl-ready |title=Workers raise 1st section of new Chernobyl shelter |first=Jim |last=Heintz |agency=Associated Press |date=17 November 2012 |quote=Workers have raised the first section of a colossal arch-shaped structure that eventually will cover the exploded nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power station. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120100343/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/first-section-new-shelter-chernobyl-ready |archive-date=20 January 2013}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.chernobylee.com/blog/2010/02/chernobyl-new-safe-confinement.php |title=Chernobyl New Safe Confinement - New Completion Date Announced |work=Chernobyl and Eastern Europe |date=15 February 2010 |access-date=16 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708142609/http://www.chernobylee.com/blog/2010/02/chernobyl-new-safe-confinement.php |archive-date=8 July 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2011/110408e.shtml |title=NOVARKA and Chernobyl Project Management Unit confirm cost and time schedule for Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |website=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |first=Axel |last=Reiserer |date=8 April 2011 |access-date=16 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918032131/http://www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2011/110408e.shtml |archive-date=18 September 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Work_begins_on_new_sarcophagus_for_Chernobyl_reactor_999.html |title=Work begins on new sarcophagus for Chernobyl reactor |website=Nuclear Power Daily |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=16 March 2011}}

{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/12/features/containing-chernobyl?page=all |title=Containing Chernobyl: the mission to defuse the world's worst nuclear disaster site |first=Andrew |last=Hankinson |magazine=Wired |date=3 January 2013}}

{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/in-depth/the-big-story/building-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement/1015479.article |title=Building Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement |first=John |last=Excell |magazine=The Engineer |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927123450/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/in-depth/the-big-story/building-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement/1015479.article |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25086097 |title=Chernobyl's arch: Sealing off a radioactive sarcophagus |first=Nick |last=Meo |website=BBC News |date=26 November 2013}}

}}

{{refbegin|}}

• {{Cite conference|url=http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29884.pdf|title=Conceptual Design of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement— An Overview|date=2004|first1=Eric|last1=Schmieman|first2=Matthew|last2=Wrona|first3=Philippe|last3=Convert|first4=Yuriy|last4=Nemchinov|first5=Pascal|last5=Belicard|first6=Michael|last6=Durst|first7=Valery|last7=Kulishenko|first8=Charles|last8=Hogg|conference=Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055925/http://www.bechtel.com/assets/files/PDF/BIP/29844.pdf|archive-date=4 June 2011|display-authors=2|ref=none}}
• {{Cite web|url=http://www.atominfo.org.ua/news/chernobyl_shelter_five_year_plan_june_9.htm|title=Chornobyl: Five-Year Schedule set for New Safe Confinement Over Wrecked Unit|date=9 June 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214194940/http://www.atominfo.org.ua/news/chernobyl_shelter_five_year_plan_june_9.htm|archive-date=14 February 2008}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060212025937/http://new.chnpp.gov.ua/eng/articles.php?lng=en&pg=80 Project Implementation Phase 2] from Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060513195855/http://www.ebrd.com/projects/psd/psd1998/4807.htm SIP Project Summary Document] from The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant New Safe Confinement}}

• [https://www.chnpp.gov.ua/ua/ Official website: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]
• [http://www.chornobyl.in.ua/en/nsc.htm Description of the New Safe Confinement. Design of the new protective shield under Sarcophagus.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127025751/http://chornobyl.in.ua/en/nsc.htm |date=January 27, 2009 }}
• {{YouTube|F9URUQvGE9g|Chernobyl 25 years on}} European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Computer rendered video of the construction process, Novarka, October 2009 archived at [http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/F9URUQvGE9g Ghostarchive.org] on 6 May 2022
• [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chernobyl-the-catastrophe-that-never-ended/ November 2014, Chernobyl Story on CBS 60 Minutes]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160114120420/http://chnpp.gov.ua/en/construction-online New Safe Confinement site live camera]
• {{YouTube |dH1bv9fAxiY |Unique engineering feat concluded as Chernobyl arch has reached resting place}} showing of New Safe Confinement being slid into position, 14–29 November 2016, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development channel archived at [http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/dH1bv9fAxiY Ghostarchive.org] on 6 May 2022

{{Chernobyl disaster}}

Category:2019 establishments in Ukraine

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2019

Category:Buildings and structures in Pripyat

Category:Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2019

Category:Nuclear safety and security