Preparatory Works For The PALLAS Reactor Have Started
Preparatory works to enable the realization of the construction of the PALLAS reactor have started. Work is currently underway to make the original access road to the Energy & Health Campus from the 1960s accessible. During the construction of the steel sheet pile structure around the work site, the contractor KWS Infra will use innovative machinery that does not cause vibrations, thus minimizing inconvenience.
KWS Infra is the partner carrying out the preparations for the work site and is working in the coming period on the realization of the access road and the surfacing of the work site. This work is expected to be completed in early 2023.
The Energy & Health Campus is located next to two nature reserves. All work will be carried out in accordance with the nature permit. Among other things, amphibian screens have been installed, bat boxes have been hung and work is being carried out on the basis of an ecological work protocol. Ultimately, after construction is completed, the surrounding and natural values will be restored and, where possible, improved. Habitat for protected species will be added according to the protocol established with ecologists.
The building permit for the PALLAS-reactor with buildings has been granted by the municipality of Schagen. And there is a positive decision regarding the final establishment limit of the PALLAS program from the regulator ANVS (Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority) and the North Holland North Environmental Service.
On ‘Prinsjesdag’ (budget day), the Dutch Government took the decision to reserve financial resources for PALLAS. In doing so, it was agreed that preparations for the work site can continue. Final decision-making on the full funding of the project is expected to take place in the spring of 2023.
Medical applications of nuclear technology are used all over the world. Every year, 30 million people benefit from a diagnostic procedure or treatment by nuclear medicine for at least 60 different pathologies – and these numbers are steadily increasing. New facilities like the PALLAS reactor are crucial in order to meet the rising global demand.
This year, the European Nuclear Society dedicated several events and activities focusing on nuclear medical applications and radioisotopes production and supply.
This one has been also the key topic of the Panel Discussion, opening the last European Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) in Budapest, 6-10 June 2022.
Moreover, last February ENS organised the webinar “Radioisotopes for life. Ensuring European supply – Stakeholders and opportunities”. The final report of the event and the video are available here.