The independent Advisory Panel met on 11 and 12 May 2026 at Olavsgaard near to the Kjeller site in Norway. Following the successful transfer of the licence for the Halden facility, the Government has decided an accelerated timescale for the transfer of the licence for the Kjeller facilities. A date of 1 January 2027 has been announced and in the interim NND must be prepared with the appropriate structures and management systems to facilitate this.

The Panel discussed NND’s plans and preparations to become the Kjeller licence holder including interface issues with IFE, the current holder. Transfer of the licence to NND will enable a greater emphasis to be given to post-operational clean out and eventual dismantling and decommissioning of the various reactors and facilities.

Of particular interest to the Panel were the plans for treatment and future management of the spent fuel residing at the Halden and Kjeller sites. Although not much in volume terms, the fuel is of varied types and burn-up and naturally constitutes the highest hazard on the site(s) and its management and conversion to a passive form a priority for NND. The Panel was appraised of the various options being considered and advised accordingly.

The meeting also discussed the organisation culture for safety and security in the transition phase: transition of reactors and facilities from active operations to POCO and decommissioning. The Panel was encouraged to see that NND saw this as a major issue and were devoting significant effort to address this and achieve a successful outcome.

The meeting also covered NND plans for requirements management, cost estimation, decommissioning in urban areas, free release requirements and development of security requirements. The meeting concluded with a tour of the Kjeller site and facilities that will in six months or so, be covered by the NND licence. The next meeting is scheduled for November 2026.