AECL aborts reactor development
The decision “is based on a series of reviews that considered, among other things, the costs of further development, as well as the time frame and risks involved with continuing the project,” the federal Crown corporation said.
The MAPLE reactors, described as the first in the world dedicated entirely to medical isotope production, were intended to be capable of supplying the entire global demand for molybdenum-99, iodine-131, iodine-125 and xenon-133.
AECL said the decision to abort them “will not impact the current supply of medical isotopes.”
It said contracts with MDS Nordion provide for production to continue at AECL's existing National Research Universal reactor in Chalk River.
“We are making the right business decision given the circumstances,” AECL president Hugh MacDiarmid said.
“Our board of directors and senior management have concluded that it is no longer feasible to complete the commissioning and start-up of the reactors.”
The NRU reactor has an operating licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission valid through October, 2011, and AECL said it will work with the commission and MDS Nordion to continue production beyond that date.
“We recognize the important role that NRU plays in the supply and delivery of medical isotopes to patients in North America and around the world,” Mr. MacDiarmid stated.
“AECL is committed to supplying medical isotopes from NRU in a safe and reliable manner.”
Related News
Coronavirus impacts dismantling of Germany's Philippsburg nuclear plant
BERLIN - German energy company EnBW said the coronavirus outbreak has impacted plans to dismantle its Philippsburg nuclear power plant in Baden-Wurttemberg, southwest Germany.
The controlled detonation of Phillipsburg's cooling towers will now take place in mid-May at the earliest.
However, EnBW said the exact demolition date depends on many factors - including the further development in the coronavirus pandemic.
Philippsburg 2, a 1402MWe pressurised water reactor unit permanently shut down on 31 December 2019.
At the end of 2019, the Ministry of the Environment gave basic approval for decommissioning and dismantling of unit 2 of the Philippsburg nuclear power plant, inluding explosive demolition…
