Editing Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (section)

== Decommissioning ==
After the explosion at reactor No. 4 and construction of the sarcophagus, the remaining three reactors were de-contaminated and re-launched (reactor No. 1 on 1 October 1986, reactor No. 2 on 5 November 1986, & reactor No. 3 on 4 December 1987) and continued to operate until the post-Soviet period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chernobyl-reactors-14-years-disaster-2016-4|title=Here's why Russia didn't shut down Chernobyl until 14 years after the disaster|first=Sarah|last=Kramer|date=April 26, 2016|website=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629030644/https://www.businessinsider.com/chernobyl-reactors-14-years-disaster-2016-4?r=US&IR=T|archive-date=June 29, 2019}}</ref> The [[Chernobyl New Safe Confinement]] is equipped with two overhead main cranes, which will be used to remove unstable parts of the original sarcophagus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=EBRD New Safe Confinement Technical Presentation|url=http://www.ebrd.com/documents/nuclear-safety/pdf-new-safe-confinement-technical-presentation.pdf|access-date=2022-02-25|archive-date=2021-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002231100/https://www.ebrd.com/documents/nuclear-safety/pdf-new-safe-confinement-technical-presentation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://chnpp.gov.ua/en/about/history-of-the-chnpp/chnpp-shutdown | title=Post-accident operation and shutdown }}</ref> The majority of the external [[Gamma ray|gamma radiation]] emissions at the site are from the [[isotope]] [[caesium-137]], which has a [[half-life]] of 30.17 years. {{As of|2016}}, the radiation exposure from that radionuclide has declined by half since the 1986 accident.

On 11 October 1991, reactor No. 2 caught fire, and was subsequently shut down.<ref name="nrc"/> Ukraine's 1991 independence from the Soviet Union generated further discussion on the Chernobyl topic, because the [[Verkhovna Rada]], Ukraine's new parliament, was composed largely of young reformers. Discussions about the future of nuclear energy in Ukraine ultimately moved the government toward a decision to decommission reactor No. 2.

On 30 November 1996, following pressure from foreign governments, reactor No. 1 was shut down.<ref name="Mara2010">{{cite book |author=Mara |first=Wil |url=https://archive.org/details/chernobyldisaste0000mara |title=The Chernobyl Disaster: Legacy and Impact on the Future of Nuclear Energy |date=1 September 2010 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=978-0-7614-4984-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/chernobyldisaste0000mara/page/96 96]– |url-access=registration}}</ref> Dismantling and removal of equipment began at reactor No. 1 in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/wasteRecycling/260407Decommissioning_at_Chernobyl.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202041301/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/wasteRecycling/260407Decommissioning_at_Chernobyl.shtml|title=Decommissioning at Chernobyl|archive-date=February 2, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2016|date=26 April 2007}}</ref> The work is expected to be completed by 2028.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Channel removal work trialled at Chernobyl |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Channel-removal-work-trialled-at-Chernobyl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608053925/https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Channel-removal-work-trialled-at-Chernobyl |archive-date=2019-06-08 |work=World Nuclear News}}</ref>

On 15 December 2000, reactor No. 3 was shut down after operating briefly since March 1999 following almost three months of repairs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/291549.stm|title=BBC News &#124; Europe &#124; Chernobyl reopens|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=March 7, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401130534/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/291549.stm|archive-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/27/world/last-working-chernobyl-reactor-is-restarted.html|title = Last Working Chernobyl Reactor is Restarted|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 27 November 1999|access-date = 9 August 2020|archive-date = 10 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200910051336/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/27/world/last-working-chernobyl-reactor-is-restarted.html|url-status = live}}</ref> and the plant as a whole ceased producing electricity.<ref name="Mara2010" /> In April 2015, units 1 through 3 entered the decommissioning phase.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chernobyl 1–3 enter decommissioning phase |url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Chernobyl-1-3-enter-decommissioning-phase-13041501.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310033247/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Chernobyl-1-3-enter-decommissioning-phase-13041501.html |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> Upon being shut down, the plant was re-classified as a 'State Special Enterprise,' while 'V. I. Lenin' was removed from the name following Ukraine's independence.

In 2013, the pump lifting river water into the cooling reservoir adjacent to the facility was powered down, with the thermal sink expected to slowly evaporate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Draining the pond of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant |url=https://www.chernobyl-tour.com/main/video_chernobyl_tours_en/107-draining-the-pond-of-the-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219224136/https://www.chernobyl-tour.com/main/video_chernobyl_tours_en/107-draining-the-pond-of-the-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant.html |archive-date=2019-12-19 |access-date=2019-12-19 |website=CHORNOBYL TOUR 2020 – trips to the Chornobyl exclusion zone, to the Pripyat town, ChNPP. (ex. CHERNOBYL TOUR)}}</ref>

[[File:Chernobyl_New_Safe_Confinement_August_2016.jpg|thumb|New Safe Confinement in 2016]]
Originally announced in June 2003, a new steel containment structure named the [[New Safe Confinement]] was built to replace the aging and hastily built sarcophagus that protected ruined reactor No. 4.<ref name="OnishiVoitsekhovich2007">{{cite book |last1=Onishi |first1=Yasuo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AKTjYeWO5E0C&pg=PA247 |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 |pages=247– |access-date=1 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106152038/https://books.google.com/books?id=AKTjYeWO5E0C&pg=PA247 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Though the project's development had been delayed several times, construction officially began in September 2010.<ref name="Pitta2015">{{cite book |author=Pitta |first=Terra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8raOCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT64 |title=Catastrophe: A Guide to World's Worst Industrial Disasters |date=5 August 2015 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Limited |isbn=978-93-85505-17-1 |pages=64– |access-date=1 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626213446/https://books.google.com/books?id=8raOCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT64 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The New Safe Confinement was financed by an international fund managed by the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] and was designed and built by the French-led consortium [[Novarka]].<ref name="Committee2011">{{cite book |author=Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: European Scrutiny Committee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RLnC9dJ7OpwC&pg=PA59 |title=Nineteenth report of session 2010–11: documents considered by the Committee on 16 February 2011, including the following recommendations for debate, reviewing the working time directive; global navigation satellite system; control of the Commission's implementing powers; recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, report, together with formal minutes |date=1 March 2011 |publisher=The Stationery Office |isbn=978-0-215-55666-0 |pages=59– |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626213440/https://books.google.com/books?id=RLnC9dJ7OpwC&pg=PA59 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2013, a {{convert|600|m2|0}} portion of the roof and wall adjacent to the covered part of the turbine hall collapsed into the entombed area of the turbine hall. The collapse did not affect any other part of the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus|Object Shelter]] (sarcophagus) or the [[New Safe Confinement]]. No variances in radiation levels as a result of the incident were detected.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 13, 2013|title=Chernobyl radiation unaffected after heavy snow causes partial roof collapse, Ukrainian officials say|newspaper=New York Daily press|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/chernobyl-radiation-unaffected-roof-collapse-article-1.1263037|access-date=February 15, 2013|archive-date=February 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216111509/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/chernobyl-radiation-unaffected-roof-collapse-article-1.1263037|url-status=live}}</ref> The collapsed roof was built after the Chernobyl disaster and was later repaired.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 14, 2013|title=Chernobyl roof collapses under snow|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|agency=AFP|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10865344|url-status=dead|access-date=February 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413233159/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10865344|archive-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref>

Novarka built a large arch-shaped structure out of steel {{convert|270|m|ft|0|}} wide, {{convert|100|m|ft|0|}} high, and {{convert|150|m|ft|0|}} long to cover the old crumbling concrete dome that was in use at the time.<ref name="Mara2010" /> The structure was built in two segments which were joined in August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ford |first=Jason |date=3 August 2015 |title=Arches of Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement are joined together |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/arches-of-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement-are-joined-together/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221172541/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/arches-of-chernobyls-new-safe-confinement-are-joined-together/ |archive-date=21 February 2016 |access-date=8 March 2021 |website=The Engineer |publisher=Mark Allen Engineering Limited}}</ref> In November 2016, the completed arch was placed over the existing sarcophagus.<ref>{{cite web|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|website=www.ebrd.com|access-date=April 1, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126195658/http://www.ebrd.com/news/2016/unique-engineering-feat-concluded-as-chernobyl-arch-has-reached-resting-place.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This steel casing project was expected to cost $1.4 billion, and was completed in 2017. The casing also meets the definition of a [[nuclear entombment]] device.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.theengineer.co.uk/1020859.article?mobilesite=enabled |title=NOVARKA and Chernobyl Project Management Unit confirm cost and time schedule for Chernobyl New Safe Confinement |publisher=European Bank |date=April 8, 2011 |access-date=April 22, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A separate deal has been made with the American firm [[Holtec International]] to build a storage facility within the exclusion zone for nuclear waste produced by Chernobyl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chernobyltwentyfive.org/node/867|title=Chernobyl 25|access-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310010627/http://chernobyltwentyfive.org/node/867|archive-date=March 10, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>[http://www.holtecinternational.com/sites/default/files/pr/HH22_18.pdf Holtec International Press Release]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} (December 31, 2007).</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New licence for Chernobyl used fuel facility|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-New_licence_for_Chernobyl_spent_fuel_facility-2803137.html|access-date=April 2, 2013|newspaper=World Nuclear News|date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=April 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412084142/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-New_licence_for_Chernobyl_spent_fuel_facility-2803137.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This facility, named the Interim Storage Facility 2, has storage for the 21,297 Spent Fuel assemblies currently at the power plant, which will be loaded into approximately 231 waste canisters, and stored in the ISF-2 for 100 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EBRD Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility Technical Report|url=https://www.ebrd.com/documents/nuclear-safety/pdf-interim-spent-fuel-storage-technical-presentation.pdf|access-date=2022-02-25|archive-date=2021-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002230836/https://www.ebrd.com/documents/nuclear-safety/pdf-interim-spent-fuel-storage-technical-presentation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the storage facility was completed, and on November 18, 2020, the first canister of nuclear waste was loaded into the storage area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historic milestone at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/2020/historic-milestone-at-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant.html|access-date=2022-01-03|website=www.ebrd.com|language=en|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103205316/https://www.ebrd.com/news/2020/historic-milestone-at-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant.html|url-status=live}}</ref>