The project to bring the technological containers of the plant to a safe state was discussed at the first meeting of the intergovernmental working group. Representatives of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Federal Environmental Operator" (FSUE "FEO"), relevant ministries and agencies of Kyrgyzstan participated in the discussion, as reported by the media.
During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of the project, which will consist of several stages, were raised. First and foremost, it is necessary to bring the containers with hazardous substances to a safe state, which includes opening, pressure equalization, as well as cleaning and neutralizing gases using special systems. The completion of the first stage is scheduled for December 2026.
Stanislav Zhabrikov, Director of Environmental Project Implementation at FSUE "FEO," emphasized: "The main task of the first stage is to eliminate the risk of uncontrolled emissions and create safe conditions for the subsequent extraction of waste."
After the completion of the first stage, the second stage will begin, which will focus on waste extraction and its safe disposal. This work is expected to be completed by December 2027. Technical consultations with the National Academy of Sciences and relevant state institutions of Kyrgyzstan will be conducted for the final selection of methods for handling hazardous waste.
Azmat Mambetov, First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan, noted the importance of ensuring safety and independent monitoring of the environmental condition during the opening of containers and the extraction of residues of hazardous chemicals. Environmental monitoring posts and duty shifts of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will be organized as part of the project.
Ludmila Plyushch, head of the project office at FSUE "FEO," added that the working group will ensure coordination of actions among all participants, transparency in decision-making, and prompt resolution of emerging issues, which will allow for a quick response to changes in the situation and achieve goals for the safe disposal of accumulated waste.
In October 2024, specialists from FSUE "FEO" conducted a technical audit of the plant's territory, which included an analysis of archival materials, an inventory of facilities, an examination of adjacent areas, as well as photo and video documentation of structural defects and waste storage sites. Experts also conducted instrumental inspections of containers with chemical substances and engineering networks, which allowed for the identification of tanks and assessment of equipment condition, as well as the level of harmful substances in the air.
