SSE «Chornobyl NPP» and the Novarka 2 consortium have signed a contract for the first stage of engineering work to support the repair and restoration of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), following the damage sustained during the Russian attack of 14 February 2025.

The contract was signed on 16 September in Vienna on the margins of the 70th IAEA General Conference, in the presence of representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission, the State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management and Chornobyl NPP.

The initial stage, funded through the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA), will consolidate existing technical information, undertake targeted studies and inspections, and develop initial concepts for the restoration of the NSC. The work is expected to take approximately 7.5 months.

It forms part of Phase 1 of the Early Engineering and Procurement Works (EEPW), which is intended to progressively develop the technical solutions, implementation strategy and cost basis needed for the subsequent restoration works. Phase 1 is funded with €30 million and is scheduled for completion over approximately 17 months.

The overall objective is to restore the full functionality of the NSC by 2030 and support its continued safe and reliable operation.

The restoration programme will be implemented by the contracted international consortium, working in cooperation with Chornobyl NPP and the relevant Ukrainian authorities.

In parallel, priority temporary repair measures continue under Grant Agreement No. 05 to stabilise the NSC and maintain acceptable operating conditions while the full restoration programme is developed and implemented.