AREVA to decommission Sweden’s R2 research reactors
AREVA has been awarded a contract by SVAFO, a company owned by four Swedish nuclear plant operators*, to dismantle the R2-0 and R2 research reactors located near Nyköping, Sweden. With a capacity of 1 and 50 megawatts respectively, these two reactors ended operations in 2005 following approximately 45 years of service. This is the first dismantling project to take place in Sweden since the 1980s.
The reactor was operated by Studsvik AB.
Under this contract, AREVA will prepare a detailed project schedule and disassemble the two reactors. The group will also measure the radiation level of the components and package them in the appropriate storage casks before returning them to the customer. The work on site is expected to begin in the first half of 2015.
AREVA has more than 20 years of experience in dismantling nuclear facilities. The group has successfully completed several ambitious projects, notably in France with the dismantling of facilities located at the La Hague, Marcoule and Cadarache sites, and with the Stade and Wuergassen nuclear plants in Germany. AREVA is currently preparing dismantling programmes for German nuclear plants that were stopped in 2011 following the country’s decision to withdraw from nuclear power.