ChNPP Reactors 5 and 6

The construction of reactors 5 and 6 carried on through the night of the explosion at the 4th Chernobyl nuclear power plant. While the fire's glow may not have been visible from higher floors, the smoke surely was as dawn approached. Despite the catastrophic events occurring nearby, the 286 construction workers for the day shift reported for duty at 8 am that morning. Although work on reactors 5 and 6 was temporarily halted, it resumed on October 10, 1986. However, on April 24, 1987, construction was paused once more, and by May 23, 1989, the decision was made to abandon the completion of the reactors.

The power plant is situated about 18 kilometers northwest of Chernobyl city. Reactor Number 1 was finished in 1977, followed by Reactor Number 2 in 1978, Reactor Number 3 in 1981, and Reactor Number 4 in 1983. At the time of the disaster, Reactor Number 5 was roughly 70% complete, while Reactor Number 6 was slated for completion in 1994. Once operational, both reactors would have had the capacity to generate 1,000 megawatts each.