NND (Norsk Nukleær dekommisjonering) applies for a license to own and operate nuclear facilities in Norway.
A strategic request
NND says these applications are for the Halden and Kjeller reactors. They also concern the Himdalen low- and intermediate-level waste dump. These infrastructures were previously under the responsibility of the Institute For Energy technology (IFE).
IFE operated Norway’s only two reactors, both of which were for research purposes. The two reactors would enter into service in 2018 and 2019 respectively. While Norway is revising its energy strategy, it does not seem to be turning to nuclear power.
NND is responsible for the decommissioning of Norway’s reactors and other nuclear facilities, such as storage facilities. The submitted application will be reviewed by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Directorate (RSD). Processing a license application similar to the one filed by NND typically takes two years.
The security imperative
NND hopes to demonstrate in its application for operation that it complies with the safety regulations for nuclear facilities in Norway. In particular, it must comply with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. The license application must demonstrate that Norsk Nukleær dekommisjonering is able to manage the facilities safely.
Thus, the file must demonstrate that 25 terms and conditions fit within the regulatory obligations. The first and most important priority is safety. In order to meet these requirements, the license application combines the expertise of IFE, the current owner, with the NND management system.
The Norsk Nukleær dekommisjonering had been working on this application for more than two years. Finally, the submission of this application marks a new milestone for NND. It must now wait for comments from DSA before taking over the nuclear facilities in Norway.
