OREANDA-NEWS. On January 16, 2007 a plan of measures has been endorsed for an ultimate withdrawn from operation of reactors at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and for making the NPP an environmentally friendly system. Ukraine Emergencies Minister Volodymyr Shandra signed an appropriate order, reported the Official website www.kmu.gov.ua.

The document provides for withdrawal of spent fuel from the reactors. The task must be implemented by 2010.

In September 2007, contracts were signed in Kyiv between the NPP and French concern Novarka on the construction of a new Shelter facility, as well as between the NPP and US concern Holtek International on the construction of a new storage facility for spent nuclear fuel.

The efforts are financed from the Chornobyl Shelter Fund, which was created by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The cost of the construction projects is assessed at USD 500 million. The projected term for safe operation of the facility is 100 years.

According to the EBRD, among all donors to the Fund, the greatest contribution was made by the European Union (EUR 204,8 million), the United States (EUR 138,8 million), and Ukraine (EUR 45 million).

The Chornobyl accident took place about 100 kilometers off Kyiv on April 26, 1986. It is considered to be the greatest man-made disaster of the 21st century, which hit 3,5 million people and polluted with radiation 10% of Ukraine's territory.