Poland’s MARIA research reactor, located at the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ – Narodowym Centrum Badan Jadrowych) in Otwock, Swierk, has received authorisation from the President of the State Atomic Energy Agency (PPA – Państwowej Agencji Atomistyki) for indefinite operation MARIA was temporarily closed after its operating licence expired at the end of March.
The 30 MWt MARIA research nuclear reactor, designed and built by Polish specialists, was named in honour of the Polish Nobel Prize winner Maria Sklodowska-Curie. Its construction began in June 1970, and it was launched in December 1974. It is a water and beryllium moderated high flux pool type reactor with graphite reflector and pressurised channels containing concentric six-tube assemblies of fuel elements. It is used for radioisotope production, materials and fuel testing, silicon doping, neutron radiography, neutron activation analysis, nuclear medicine and training.
NCBJ applied for the new licence in August 2024. The PAA decision concludes a multi-stage administrative procedure, under which NCBJ submitted complete documentation, including safety analyses, operating procedures, emergency plans and detailed information on the physical and radiological protection of the facility. The licence preparation process was carried out in close cooperation with PAA and in accordance with the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection supervision.
PAA said the decision was preceded by a months-long analysis and evaluation of all documents attached to the application, during which the applicant was repeatedly asked for explanations and additions on issues that were not precise and concerned the safety of use of the facility. In accordance with the provisions of the Atomic Law Act, the draft permit was presented for comment to the Council for Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection (BJiOR – Bezpieczeństwa Jądrowego i Ochrony Radiologicznej) and then to the applicant. The permit specified detailed conditions for the safe operation of the reactor. These include regular inspections by PAA and periodic safety assessments.
“For us, this is very good news and a welcome relief,” said Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka. “The reactor has a very important role, but nuclear safety requirements must always be met. Now that all the necessary analyses and procedures have been properly prepared and approved, MARIA can return to work and the priority is to implement a modernisation programme that will allow it to operate for another 20 years.”
MARIA is the only nuclear facility of its type in Poland, and is of significant importance to the national and international scientific and medical sectors. For many years, it played a key role in the production of medical radioisotopes including molybdenum 99, accounting for a part of its global supply. In addition, it is an important base for research in the fields of nuclear physics, materials science, nuclear energy, as well as for training personnel for the implementation of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme.
“Obtaining the new licence confirms the high level of safety of our infrastructure and the competence of the team of engineers, physicists and specialists involved in the operation of the MARIA reactor,” said Professor Agnieszka Pollo, Acting Director of NCBJ. “We would like to thank PAA for their substantive and responsible cooperation, and all our domestic and foreign partners for their trust during the reactor closure. We are starting the procedure to resume the reactor’s operation and will continue its research and production activities. Obtaining a new licence opens up further years of safe operation and support for the development of science, technology and medicine.”
