This week I spent two very interesting days in the company of Norsk Nucleær Dekommisjonering (Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND)) where I have been invited as one of the experts on their Safety and Waste Management Advisory Group.

NND has submitted proposals to take over licences for the now shut down research reactors (at Halden and Kjeller) operated by IFE, as well as the waste store and repository (KLDRA) at Himdalen. NND is therefore preparing itself to be responsible for decommissioning the existing facilities and management of all of the subsequent radioactive waste, including disposal of ILW and spent fuel from the research reactors.

NND recognise that there will be many challenges as this plan is implemented and I am very happy to be part of this expert group, alongside Catherine Banet, Johan Andersson, Tom Haldal and Simon Carroll, tasked to provide advice and input to NND’s senior management team.

At this the inaugural meeting, the Advisory Group met NND’s leadership team and were briefed on the status of current plans and future activities. It is expected that the group will meet again in approximately six month’s time.