EBRD opens account to restore Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant's New Safe Confinement with grant of 30 mln euros

MOSCOW. April 27 (Interfax) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the State Specialized Enterprise Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have signed a 30 million euro grant agreement as the first tranche for the restoration of the New Safe Confinement.

Ukrainian media reported that the signing took place during events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster at the plant site on Sunday.

"It will cost 500 million euros to restore the NSC. Today, the first payment was made and an agreement to open and credit funds to the account up was signed. This is the first tranche for the Confinement's restoration," First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy Denis Shmygal was quoted as saying.

The account is expected to accumulate donor funds for the restoration.

"These 30 million euros are to stabilize the structure, and are the first installment, and to then fully restore the NSC by 2030," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said.