Petten, 12 February 2009
Today, the Dutch Council of Ministers have given permission to allow the restart of the High Flux Reactor in Petten with additional safety related measures in place, this is for the period till March 2010. NRG will now complete the normal final preparations for a reactor start, whereby safe operation is assured and will then start up the reactor. In the event that any abnormalities are identified, then NRG will follow its standard procedures and immediately stop reactor operations. In the coming months, NRG will proceed with all the necessary preparations to replace the relevant sections of the primary cooling water system in 2010.
With the restart of the HFR, it is expected that within a few days there will be sufficient availability of medical isotopes for the treatment of patients world wide. The reactor in Petten produces 60% of the European and 30% of the world demand for medical isotopes. Additionally, the reactor contributes to international nuclear research for energy supply.
For further information please contact NRG communications, Juliette van der Laan, telefoon +31 (0)224-564967 or email j.vanderlaan@nrg.eu.