Enlarged Halden Programme Group meeting in Loen

Enlarged Halden Programme Groups (EHPG) meetings took place between 18th to 23rd May and as expected gathered many external delegations. This years meeting was also a part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Halden Reactor Project. Taken this in to consideration, together with a global increased interest in the use of nuclear power as energy source internationally, the participation at the yearly meeting was large.

The EHPG meeting 2008 was arranged at Hotel Alexandra in Loen, Norway

Beside delegations from the member countries, another six countries participated at the meeting, inclusive China, India and Russia, all being in the top range in building new nuclear power stations.

The presentations that followed the first day all explained the importance of the Halden Reactor Project scientifically throughout the last 50 years, and how useful the science and research is for institutions and universities all over the world. The speakers all proclaimed that the project has delivered research of a high standard during these 50 years, and has also been a model for successful nuclear security research renowned world wide.

The following days the meeting was divided into two groups or so called parallel sessions. According to tradition the aspects of these sessions reflected the Halden Reactor Projects main work field. All meetings were continuously filled with guests who used their time well to ask questions and raise comments.

Delegates from from many different organisations held a presentation.
Above: Martin Kropik from Czech Technical University, Tsjekkia.
Below: Gopika Vinod from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

The participants experienced Norwegian culture and nature.

The Russian delegates presented a gift to the Halden Reactor Project. Standing from the left: Vladimir Agapitov (JSC Chepetsk Mechanical Ålant, Russia), Yury Pimenov (JSC ”TVEL”) with microphone. Wolfgang Wiesenack (the Halden Reactor Project) with the received gift, and sitting, the leader of the Halden Group, Jan In de Beton (SKI, Sweden).