Stabilization of the Chernobyl Shelter
The Shelter enclosing the wrecked Chernobyl Unit 4 reactor continues to deteriorate posing an increasing environmental threat due to structural degradation and the ingress of water. The uncertain nature of the wreckage within the Shelter combined with structural instability and high radiation fields make the remediation a very challenging task. A decision-based approach known as the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP) has been adopted as a way of resolving the many difficulties. This plan has the financial support of more than 20 nations under the Chernobyl Shelter Fund (CSF) which is administrated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Project execution will pose a number of unique problems in technology, project management, contracting, nuclear regulation and risk management.