NRG PALLAS has awarded Framatome the contract to design and deliver the First Reactor Protection System (FRPS) for the new PALLAS research reactor. This milestone is critical for the nuclear facility under construction at the Energy & Health Campus in Petten, Netherlands.
Framatome will install its latest-generation TELEPERM XS (TXS) Core digital Instrumentation and Control (I&C) safety technology. The PALLAS configuration incorporates two specialised I&C systems designed exclusively for ultra-fast signal logging. This allows engineers to analyse micro-fluctuations in real-time, heavily reducing future plant downtime
The platform uses deterministic processing, meaning software execution times are entirely predictable and fixed, eliminating any risk of software “freezing” during an anomaly. It carries global safety credentials, including TÜV SÜD certification to IEC 61513 standards.
TXS relies on hardcoded gate arrays and highly restricted network architectures. It features physical separation between safety-critical automation layers and operational dashboards to completely isolate the core from potential external cyber threats. The protection architecture is explicitly designed to meet stringent modern cybersecurity mandates.
The TXS platform serves as the digital “brain and central nervous system” for nuclear reactor safety systems. It monitors critical reactor operating parameters and automatically triggers safety shutdowns if abnormal variables are reached.
“Framatome is proud to support NRG PALLAS in the construction of this strategic new nuclear research reactor,” said Laurent Thieffry, Senior Executive Vice President for I&C at Framatome. “We look forward to delivering reliable, innovative I&C systems and answering to the highest level of cybersecurity requirements for the PALLAS research reactor, and helping our customer ensure long-term security of supply of life-saving medical isotopes.”
“Maurits Wolleswinkel, CEO NRG PALLAS, noted: “The signing of this contract marks another important milestone for the PALLAS project. Framatome’s proven expertise in nuclear safety systems gives us full confidence that the First Reactor Protection System will meet the highest standards required for the safe and reliable production of medical isotopes. This partnership strengthens our mission to secure the long-term global supply of life‑saving isotopes.”
The new PALLAS facility is a state-funded €2bn ($2.27bn) pool-type nuclear reactor project. It will completely replace the aging High Flux Reactor (HFR), which has been in active service since 1961.Once completed, the PALLAS reactor will secure roughly 30% of the global supply of medical isotopes. It will provide nuclear diagnostics and cancer therapies for more than 30,000 patients a day.
The PALLAS reactor is the first nuclear build project in the Netherlands in over 60 years. The project is strictly divided into distinct engineering and civil development phases.
Phase 1 – Site Prep & Excavation (2022–2025): Workers demolished existing above-ground infrastructure, rerouted regional gas pipelines, and constructed a massive containment pit measuring 50 metres by 50 metres and 17.5 metres deep.
Phase 2 – Foundation & Pit Completion (May 2025): Industrial builder BESIX completed the foundational concrete pouring and stabilisation piles to secure the heavy nuclear island. Official full-scale construction was formally greenlit the following September.
Phase 3 – The -3 Basement Level (second quarter 2026): Civil crews achieved a milestone by finishing the underground -3 foundation floor. The massive structural build required continuous 13-hour concrete pours equipped with an integrated internal cooling loop to prevent the curing concrete from cracking. The construction consisted of several concrete pours of 500–600 m³ per dump, with a total of almost 500 tons of reinforcing steel.
Work on the secondary cooling system building well is fully on track. After the excavation and extension of the piles, a 50cm thick gravel layer was applied, followed by a dump of approximately 900 cubic metres of underwater concrete in a layer of 80cm. Parallel to this, the water in the well has been filtered to achieve the required quality for dewatering to deeper soil layers. In preparation for the upcoming horizontal directed drilling for the intake pipes, the pipes were delivered and temporarily stored on the site. Once the well is fully ready, drilling activities can start immediately.
Phase 4 – Shell Structure & I&C Integration (2026–2028): Current operations are transitioning to framing the inner walls and starting the Airplane Protection Shell (APS – a reinforced outer dome designed to withstand heavy physical impacts. Framatome will build and integrate the TXS hardware into the control rooms during this window.
Phase 5 – Commercial Operation (2032): Following comprehensive wet-testing, system commissioning, and regulatory licensing, the reactor is scheduled to begin full-scale production medical isotopes.
