Green light from the European Commission for the construction of the PALLAS-reactor

The European Commission has approved the Dutch government's plan to invest money in the construction of the new nuclear reactor (PALLAS) in Petten, North Holland. This means that the current reactor in Petten (High Flux Reactor, HFR) will definitely be replaced, and it is a confirmation that the PALLAS-reactor is of strategic importance for the Netherlands and for Europe. The security of supply of medical isotopes for nuclear medicine will be strengthened. For patients, it means faster access to innovative (cancer) treatments.

Bertholt Leeftink, CEO NRG PALLAS: 'This is good news for us, for the Netherlands, but especially for many patients with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, who depend on medical isotopes. With the arrival of the new PALLAS-reactor, the production of medical isotopes and the innovation of new applications for the treatment of, among other diseases, cancer will be guaranteed'.

Peter Dijk, Programme director PALLAS: ‘ We are extremely pleased with this good news. It means that we are now entering the next phase of the construction project: the construction of the reactor and associated buildings. We are currently working together with the contractor FCC Construcción on the preparations for this construction phase. The preparatory phase for the realization of the construction pit and its foundation is nearing its end, and with the approval of the European Commission, we can go forward with the PALLAS Programme.'

Merge

In the next quarter, the planned merger of the two current foundations, Foundation Preparation  Pallas-reactor and Foundation Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), will begin. The new merged foundation will be converted into a private limited  company, in which the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport will be the sole shareholder.

NRG PALLAS prepares for the future

On the global market for medical isotopes and nuclear technological research, the Netherlands holds a strong position. The arrival of the PALLAS-reactor enables us to expand this position. Moreover, for the Dutch nuclear knowledge infrastructure, the PALLAS-reactor is essential. This will preserve high-quality knowledge and employment in the North Holland headland. In addition, PALLAS ensures close cooperation with research institutes and hospitals to strengthen the development of isotopes.

Energy & Health Campus

The new PALLAS-reactor will be located at the Energy & Health Campus (EHC) in Petten. The EHC has more than 1,600 employees from various companies. To maintain and increase the innovative power and production capacity for medical isotopes, the FIELD-LAB was opened in December 2023, in which University Medical Centres and partners from the pharmaceutical industry collaborate on new applications of nuclear medicines.