The World's Nuclear News Agency Operated by the European Nuclear Society [NucNet Logo] 11-Jun-1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Group Formed to Tackle Chernobyl Problems The major French engineering concern, the SGN/Eurisys Group, today announced its formation of an international group prepared to help organise extensive long-term decommissioning and remedial work in and around the Chernobyl nuclear plant. The company said in a statement that it was calling for a new approach, following four years of work in a number of areas on the Chernobyl remediation programme. The statement said SGN had brought together five other specialist engineering firms to set up a dedicated and integrated team on-site. SGN said: "Together with Ukrainian and Russian counterparts, they will develop an overall master plan for the remediation programme, manage work in the short term and prepare the next phases of the programme." The programme would cover the decommissioning of Chernobyl units 1, 2 and 3, waste management on-site and in exclusion zones, the safe enclosure of the destroyed fourth reactor and the safe storage of spent fuel and high-level radwaste. SGN said it had held discussions with AEA Technology (UK), EWN (Germany), JGC (Japan) and Canatom (Canada). The US company, Fluor Daniel, has subsequently agreed to join the group. Proposals drawn up by the group were presented to Ukrainian organisations in Kiev last month. SGN says the group is now ready to discuss the proposed set-up with organisations which could finance the project, including the G7, the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The SGN statement said: "The complexity of the programme, its duration (at least 20 years), and the specific difficulties of the Ukraine require strict technical and managerial coordination aimed at minimising cost, maximising safety and optimal use of local industry." Colette Lewiner, Chief Executive Officer of the SGN/Eurisys Group, commented: "Only a global approach will ensure the best use of funds provided by international aid." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: SGN/Eurisys Group Editor / contact: Jack Ashton ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 1996 NucNet, nucnet@atagbe.ch This material may be freely reproduced but NucNet must be quoted as the source. NucNet Central Office, P.O. Box 5032, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland. Fax +41-31-382-4466, phone+41-31-320-6111.