Norwegian regulator approves transfer of Halden licence
The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority has given its approval for Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning to assume responsibility for the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden, which is to be decommissioned. It is now up to the government to grant an operating licence.
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Established as an agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries in February 2018, Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) is responsible for decommissioning the research reactors and other related nuclear infrastructure, as well as the safe handling, storage and disposal of radioactive waste.
NND submitted an application in December 2022 for a licence to own and operate the two Norwegian nuclear facilities in Halden and Kjeller, as well as the operation of the waste landfill for low- and intermediate-level radioactive material in Himdalen. The current licence holder is the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).
Norway's two research reactors - the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden and the JEEP-II neutron scattering facility at Kjeller - were declared permanently shut down by IFE in June 2018 and April 2019, respectively.
In December last year, DSA submitted a recommendation on NND's licence application for the Halden nuclear power plant. The licence is granted by the government, based on DSA's recommendation. DSA recommended that the licence should be transferred no earlier than 1 March this year, and pointed out several conditions that must be in place before the licence transfer. DSA announced that these conditions would be assessed in connection with NND's application for operating approval.
DSA has now said that NND has followed up on its recommendations.
"Based on a comprehensive assessment of the facility's technical condition, operating regulations, safety measures and emergency response plan, as well as the facility's management and personnel, DSA grants NND approval to operate the nuclear facility in Halden from the time NND receives a licence for the facility," it said.
"In assessing NND's application for operating approval for the nuclear plant in Halden, we have emphasised that the additional conditions we described in the recommendation must be met," said DSA Director Per Strand. "We now believe that they are, which is why we have given our approval for operation."
He added: "We now consider that everything is clear on our part for NND to take over the concession for the nuclear plant in Halden and ensure the safe operation of the plant."
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