Holtec's Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility (abbreviated as "ISF-2") at the Chernobyl Industrial Site being built to house the used fuel assemblies from the site's three shuttered reactors is nearing completion. Reportedly the world's largest Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility, ISF-2 was a must-stop for the scores of dignitaries, including Ukraine's President Poroshenko, who came to observe the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl Unit 4 plant's demise. Ukraine President Poroshenko, escorted by Holtec's president, Dr. Kris Singh (photos below), appearing genuinely impressed by the expansive silhouette of the facility, expressed his gratitude for Holtec's service to his country.

Holtec President Dr. Kris Singh (in the blue windbreaker) Greeting Ukraine President Poroshenko (right) at the ISF-2 Site; Chernobyl Director, Mr. Gramotkin, is in the middle facing the camera.

Holtec President Dr. Kris Singh briefs Ukraine President Poroshenko at the ISF-2 Site

Holtec President Dr. Kris Singh (right) explaining the facility’s Operations to Ukraine President Poroshenko (left) as light rain falls on the site

The Chernobyl ISF-2 facility is a technology record setter in many respects. The unique features of the Chernobyl dry storage facility include the world's largest “hot cell" for dismembering the conjugated RBMK fuel assembly and a (Holtec patented) forced gas dehydrator designed to run on nitrogen. Holtec undertook to build the facility after the original contractor, Areva, ended its contract with the Chernobyl plant in 2007. Holtec's Preliminary Safety Analysis report was approved by the Ukrainian regulator in 2010 and detailed design, manufacturing and construction planning began shortly afterwards. Pre-commissioning trials are scheduled to begin in November 2016. The photographs below provide an overview of the ongoing site construction.

Aerial View of the Construction Site

Concrete silos for the storage of more than 42,000 spent fuel bundles built to store
fuel safely for over a century.