Successful anniversary seminar 11th June

Wednesday June 11th is a red-letter day for Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and the Halden Reactor Project. 50 years ago on that very day the projects agreement was signed. During these years the Halden Reactor Project has become what OECD hoped for: a leading example on international nuclear research co-operation.

On its “birthday” the Halden Reactor Project was applauded by leaders and chairmen from safety governments and boards. A total of 130 guests from 15 different countries participated at the 50th anniversary seminar. The Norwegian government was presented by mr. Øyvind Slåke. The state secretary proclaimed that the nation is proud of the Halden Reactor Project and stated how the research has improved the safety work at nuclear power plants world wide.

President Kjell Bendiksen, IFE, gave an introduction and historical facts back to 1958

King Olav V attended the official opening of the Halden Reactor in 1959.

The speakers of the day were all leaders in some of the worlds conductive nuclear and safety institutions. Among these were Mr Luis Echavarri from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and Mr Dale Klein, the chairman of US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the speeches can be read by clicking on the PDF documents in margin to your right).

From the left: Luis Echavarri, General director  OECD NEA, Dale Klein, Director National Regulatory Commission (NRC, USA), Judith Melin, General director SKI, Ole Harbitz, Director NRPA, Bernard Fourest, Electricite de France, Massimo Salvatores, Director GIF

Ellen Egeland has been an employee at Thor Energy in Norway just over a year and was one of the guests at the seminar. She was very impressed with the content.

- Nuclear power is a very interesting subject even though Norway is self-contained with hydroelectric power, and some claims that this energy source is enough for our country’s requirement. Still, our challenge is to look ahead and regardless of what people might think now Norway might also need a larger power supply in the future. In this aspect nuclear power is definitely something we have to consider, she says.

She found the seminar very enlightening and interesting.
- Especially to hear Mr Dale Klein (picture) speech, she smiles.

- All of those who are involved in nuclear research know about the Halden Reactor Project. That is even clearer after this seminar, and all the speakers addressed the importance the project has had and still has on nuclear safety research. On this base I cannot see that the project should not be given licence to continue its research work in years to come, Egeland points out.