Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning contracted NAC International of the US to deliver casks for the dry storage of about 16.5 tonnes of used nuclear fuel from the shut Halden and Kjeller research reactors — stainless steel containers inside protective concrete silos with a design life beyond 70 years, separate containers for transport, and a 22-month NAC development period whose start-up depends on the necessary security agreement being in place (
World Nuclear News). The contract pairs with the Studsvik agreement, which runs to 2055 and covers transport to Sweden for inspection and treatment (including oxidation of metallic uranium fuel) before return to Norway for final disposal; Norway's clean-up is estimated at more than NOK 21 billion (about USD 2.2 billion). - Watch: the security agreement and permits needed before transport, the 22-month development period, the Studsvik treatment shipments, and the eventual return of fuel to Norway.
