According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the repair of the protective casing above the damaged Chernobyl reactor will be profoundly expensive. Balthasar Lindauer, Director of the EBRD Program for Nuclear Safety, estimates that “we will surely need 500 million Euros” adding that this figure could potentially rise.
These repairs must begin by the end of 2027 and be fully completed by 2030. Lindauer warned that failure to adhere to this timetable risks causing irreversible rust damage to the structural steel. He further cautioned that missing the deadlines could lead to the loss of the New Safe Confinement, an outcome that would drastically escalate costs.
The urgent need for restoration stems from an event in February 2025, when the protective shell was badly damaged by a drone attack. Lindauer confirmed that the extent of the damage is immense, noting that the crucial membrane-which is designed to keep radioactive particles inside and moisture outside-has been widely destroyed. Therefore, restoring the casing’s integrity is absolutely critical.
Regarding operational challenges, parts of Reactor Four still radiate at such high levels that individuals can only stay for brief periods. Lindauer explained that in the areas with the highest contamination rates, personnel rotation will have to be particularly frequent. While acknowledging that the timeline is ambitious, Lindauer stressed that the required repairs leave the project with no other option.