Within the framework of the Ukrainian-Japanese SATREPS project, experts of SE «Ecocenter» have received international technical assistance in the form of 3 sets of automatic water samples meter. These devices will be used for the first time during joint works on this project for sampling of surface, groundwater of the Exclusion zone and wastewater at radiation-hazardous facilities. After that the equipment will be transferred to the permanent use of the SE «Ecocenter».

At the meeting on nuclear energy development and improved security against the use of nuclear energy chaired by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko the Head of State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management (SAUEZM) Vitalii Petruk reported on status of radioactive waste (RW) management infrastructure development in Ukraine. Also, the Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine Grigoriy Plachkov, the President of SE «NNEGC «Energoatom» Yuriy Nedashkovsky, the First Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety Oleksandr Dombrovsky, the Director General of the Zaporizhzhya NPP Oleksandr Ostapovets and others contributed at the meeting.

The Agency's activities in 2018 were focused on meeting the main priorities that were approved by the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine. In particular, much attention was paid to the decommissioning of the ChNPP and transformation of the «Shelter» object into an environmentally safe system, improvement of the radioactive waste management mechanism, as well as the establishment of a special industrial use zone and creation of conditions for placement of alternative energy facilities in the Exclusion zone.

Regular working meetings within the framework of the iCLEAR project were held at the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, where they discussed the need to review the management strategy of water facilities in the Exclusion zone.

SAUEZM experts and Ukrainian State Corporation «Radon» made a technical visit in order to study the issues of safe storage of highly radioactive waste generated after processing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in France. During the visit, they got acquainted with the process of processing SNF in France, management of liquid radioactive waste and repositories for temporary storage of vitrified radioactive waste generated after SNF processing.  

State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management and the Swedish Radiation Safety Committee signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection. Within the framework of the Agreement Ukrainian system and infrastructure for radioactive waste management (RW), high-level spent sources of ionizing radiation (SSIR) will be further improved.

During the IAEA training course on the fundamentals for developing a Geological Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility in Ukraine, international and Ukrainian experts reviewed the world's experience in this area and the following steps within the framework of national project UKR9038. In addition to technical and security aspects, experts also focused on the issue of public involvement in such disposal projects.

The Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Grigoriy Plachkov, issued a separate permit to the SSE «Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant» Series ОД No. 000033\11 providing the right to carry out operation of existing building constructions within the boundaries of ChNPP second stage, performing functions of New Safe Confinement (NSC) enclosing perimeter after they were reinforced and sealed.

On January 16, integrated tests of the radiation control system of the new safe confinement (NSC) started at the Chornobyl NPP. During the tests they simulate emergency situations and check the reaction of systems on them. Aim: to make sure that the radiation control system works according to the project criteria.

The IAEA Expert Mission within the framework of the national project UKR9038, together with SAUEZM and dedicated enterprises of Ukraine, has developed recommendations for the site selection for the geological repository of radioactive waste (RW). In particular, international experts, together with Ukrainian experts, have reviewed the preliminary assessment of the geological conditions of potential sites for the repository in the Exclusion zone and prepared a draft of recommendations for Ukraine.

With the assistance of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion zone management in the framework of international technical assistance project equipment for detection of nuclear materials and radioactive substances was transferred to the Zhytomyr border detachment. The equipment provided by the Government of Norway included dosimeters, spectrometers, protective suits, gas masks and other necessary equipment.

During a working visit of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) delegations in Ukraine, the experts continued their work on the NATO Trust Fund on Elimination of the Tsybuleve burial in the Kirovograd region. The State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management together with NSPA held a conference for potential performers of the project.