The Norwegian Radiation & Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA – Direktoratet for strålevern og atomsikkerhet), has approved granting of a licence enabling takeover of the nuclear fuel and materials test reactor at Halden by the Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND – Norsk Nukleær Dekommisjonering) in preparation for its decommissioning.
DSA stipulated several conditions in its recommendation for a licence, which NND has now met. “We now consider that everything is clear from our side that NND can take over the concession for the nuclear plant in Halden and ensure safe operation of the plant,” said DSA Director Per Strand.
NND was established as an agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Fisheries in 2018 and is responsible for decommissioning research reactors and other related nuclear infrastructure, as well as the safe handling, storage and disposal of radioactive waste. In December 2022, NND applied for a licence to own and operate two Norwegian nuclear facilities in Halden and Kjeller, as well the waste landfill for low- and intermediate-level radioactive material in Himdalen, Aurskog-Høland. The current licence holder is the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE). Institute for Energy Technology (IFE – Institutt for energiteknikk).
Norway’s two research reactors – the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden and the JEEP-II neutron scattering facility at Kjeller – were permanently shut down by IFE in June 2018 and April 2019, respectively. DSA confirmed that. NND has applied to take over responsibility for all three facilities, noting that it has been decided that the Halden facility should be prioritised. The DSA’s decision is a recommendation, but it is up to the government to make a decision on a licence and when that licence should to be transferred from IFE to NND.
