The initial focus of the framework contract, which has an estimated value of up to $100 million (NOK 1 billion) over six years, will be on two research sites—the nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor at Halden and the JEEP-II neutron scattering facility at Kjeller—that were shut down in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The scope: The Jacobs/Multiconsult JV were ranked the highest bidders for the NDD contract and will have first option to carry out the work, which includes engineering concept design and planning of new facilities, upgrading of existing nuclear and nonnuclear facilities, and supporting NND with technical documentation, as well as preparing safety cases to meet ownership and operating license requirements.
The decommissioning: The overall program for used fuel treatment and decommissioning of the Halden and Kjeller reactors is expected to cost about $1.96 billion (NOK 20 billion) and take 20-25 years.
Decommissioning of the facilities includes removing radioactive sources, dismantling equipment and systems, demolishing structures and buildings, and transferring radioactive material to a facility approved for storage.
They said it: Karen Wiemelt, senior vice president of Jacobs Energy, Security, and Technology, said that the NDD contract will expand Jacobs’s footprint in a European nuclear decommissioning market that is estimated to grow to $63 billion (€60 billion) by 2025.
“We are looking forward to carrying out this work to lay the foundations for a safe and effective cleanup that will protect people and the environment from the radioactive legacy on these two sites,” Wiemelt said.
Grethe Bergly, chief executive officer of Multiconsult, added, “The strong team of Jacobs and Multiconsult look forward to working with Norsk Nukleær Dekommisjonering and all parties involved. Together, we will work towards restoring the sites and prepare them for future sustainable redevelopment.”
