The European Union is demanding that the Ukraine undergoes electricity privatisation before it releases funds to complete the construction of Khmelnitski 2 and Rovno 4 (see NEI April 2001, p10). In accordance with another EU request, electricity charges have been steadily increased since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has placed new conditions on the Chernobyl Shelter project. The details of the conditions have not yet been announced. Deputy prime minister Oleh Dubyna said that Ukraine had fulfilled the main condition for finance, namely closure of the Chernobyl plant. He added that the government is prepared to agree to the construction of a second sarcophagus over the existing one.
