en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Norwegian government will accelerate the process of transferring the Kjeller nuclear facility from the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) to the Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) agency. According to the latest arrangement, the transfer of relevant licenses and responsibilities could be completed as early as January 1, 2027.
The Institute for Energy Technology was established in 1948 with the initial purpose of conducting nuclear energy research and developing Norway's expertise in this field. Norway was once the sixth country in the world to build a nuclear reactor. Between 1951 and 2019, IFE successively built and operated four research reactors and related facilities, including JEEP I, the NORA critical assembly, and JEEP II at Kjeller, as well as the Halden materials testing reactor.
The Kjeller nuclear facility has long played an important role in research areas such as neutron measurement methods, materials technology, and isotopes for radiopharmaceuticals. With the shutdown of JEEP II in 2019, the era of research reactors in Norway ended, and the cleanup and decommissioning of nuclear facilities at both Halden and Kjeller have commenced.
Norway expects that the relevant cleanup work will last for several decades. Depending on different technologies and disposal options, the current estimated total cost is approximately 33 to 57 billion Norwegian kroner, equivalent to about 3.6 to 6.2 billion US dollars. Due to the long project duration, high costs, and issues involving nuclear safety and radioactive waste management, the Norwegian government aims to further clarify responsibility attribution and strengthen state control.
To this end, the government plans to transfer the relevant responsibilities, tasks, and facilities currently undertaken by IFE to NND as soon as possible. NND was established in February 2018 as an agency under the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, responsible for the decommissioning of research reactors and related nuclear infrastructure, as well as the safe processing, storage, and final disposal of radioactive waste.
NND applied in December 2022 for licenses to own and operate the Halden and Kjeller nuclear facilities, and simultaneously applied to operate the Himdalen low and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal site. The Halden nuclear facility was transferred from IFE to NND on April 1 last year, and this experience serves as an important foundation for advancing the Kjeller transfer.
The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) has now recommended the complete transfer of the Kjeller nuclear facility license held by IFE to NND. The Norwegian government supports this assessment and has requested DSA to initiate transfer preparations, submitting a recommendation on the Kjeller license transfer this autumn. Concurrently, NND will also begin takeover preparations, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries will negotiate the transfer framework with IFE.
Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth stated that the Halden transfer experience demonstrates that NND is equally suitable for taking over the responsibilities related to Kjeller. She emphasized that Norway will proceed with the nuclear facility cleanup in a sound and safe manner. NND Director Pål Mikkelsen stated that consolidating responsibility and expertise into a single state agency is an important milestone for achieving safe and predictable cleanup.
IFE CEO Nils Morten Huseby stated that IFE has been systematically working for many years to promote the safe and orderly transfer of nuclear facilities and is committed to completing the relevant work as soon as possible in accordance with the parliamentary decision. As NND takes over the Kjeller nuclear facility license, more than 100 IFE employees working at the relevant facilities will also transfer to NND. IFE stated it will continue to maintain close communication with the authorities, focusing on ensuring safety, work continuity, and a smooth transition for employees.
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