Press release

PALLAS is a project of high social importance. With construction of the PALLAS-reactor, future supply of medical isotopes for more than 30,000 patients a day is being secured. Since May 2023, significant progress has been made in realizing the construction pit of the PALLAS-reactor.

With much of the works now complete, the full scale of the construction pit—measuring impressive 50 meters by 50 meters and 17.5 meters deep—has recently been unveiled. Alongside this progress, NRG PALLAS with all the partners have been actively preparing for the next major phase: start of construction of the reactor building itself.

Alex Rood, Manager Procurement and Contracts: ‘We are constantly looking ahead to be able to guarantee the supply of components and materials that are necessary to construct the PALLAS-reactor safely and on time. Given that some components gave extended lead times, timely procurement and contracting are critical to ensure the construction progress.’

Progress on the construction pit has been marked by a series of works following drilling of 380 foundation piles into the ground. 4,000 cubic meters of concrete were poured underwater to create the pit’s foundation floor. With foundation piles in place and the concrete floor hardened, the basic foundation of the construction pit had been established, which meant the water could be pumped out. In total, 48,000 cubic meters of water,  the equivalent of 19 Olympic-sized swimming pools, were pumped out. The empty pit reveals the top parts of the foundation piles for the first time. Subsequent works at the bottom of the pit include cleaning of the pit, inspecting the piles, placing rebars, and pouring concrete to reinforce the piles. In the coming weeks, the last series of works will be carried out to realize the bearing slab:  the foundation floor of the reactor building  – the final step to complete the foundation for the reactor building.  

The steady progress on the construction pit has been made possible through the successful collaboration between NRG PALLAS, ICHOS (main designer), and BESIX (contractor for the Pit & Foundation phase). This spirit of partnership continues as NRG PALLAS works with FCC Construcción (general contractor) to prepare for the construction of the PALLAS-reactor. New partners, such as suppliers of crucial construction components, such as heat exchangers, primary pumps, and control and monitoring system, have come on board as well.  Collaborative efforts within the organisation remain essential as preparations advance.

The ongoing support of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport, combined with the European Commission's approval of the PALLAS Programme financing by the Dutch government, and the dedication of all project partners have been vital.  

Every day, 30,000 patients depend on the production of medical radioisotopes from Petten in North Holland. This number is expected to increase due to the introduction of new treatments with medical isotopes from reactors and the growth in the number of patients with cancer and cardiovascular diseases worldwide. NRG PALLAS has therefore taken the initiative to realize the PALLAS-reactor in Petten to replace the currently operating High Flux Reactor (HFR).