Chernobyl ‘sarcophagus’ slid into place

A giant arched structure constructed to shield the ruined Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been slid into place over the damaged unit 4 reactor.

The New Safe Confinement (NSC) ‘sarcophagus’, an artist’s impression of which appeared on the cover of Energy World in June 2011, began being built adjacent to the reactor in 2012. Completion of the sliding-into-place operation means that the NSC has been moved to its final resting place on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

Described by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as the ‘largest moveable land-based structure ever built’, the NSC (pictured) has a span of 257 m, a length of 162 m, a height of 108 m and a weight of 36,000 tonnes. 

The EBRD manages the funding for the project, which will permanently seal the radioactive site. The operation to move the shell over the reactor saw 224 hydraulic jacks push the arch at 60 centimetres on each stroke – taking around five days to make the 327 m journey from its construction area to the reactor.

The EBRD says the shell will make the site safe and enable the dismantling of the old shelter currently housing the reactor, that was quickly assembled following the 1986 accident, as well as protect the radioactive waste within the shelter. The NSC has been built by the French construction company 

Novarka. It was built in two halves that were joined together in 2015. According to EBRD it has a lifespan of at least 100 years and will cost €1.5bn. Work to finalise the project is expected to be completed in 2017.

People in Switzerland have voted in a referendum to reject a proposal for a swift phase out of nuclear power in the country. The proposal would have seen three of the country’s reactors permanently shut down in 2017, with the remaining two closed in 2024 and 2029. Around 54% of Swiss citizens voted against the proposal.