The purpose of the Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning is to build down Norway's historic nuclear research facilities in a safe and secure manner. As a natural part of that effort, the agency will also find solutions for, and manage, the waste. Including highly active spent reactor fuel. In addition to the historical waste, NND will also deal with radioactive waste from other sectors where there are no other solutions. Currently, the Institute of Energy Engineering (IFE) has this task.

The agency will also deal with the ongoing radioactive waste from other sectors such as health, defence and industry, where there are no other solutions. Currently, the Institute of Energy Engineering (IFE) has this task.

NND was created in February 2018 and its head office is located in Halden in Østfold. The NND is subordinate to the Ministry of Industry and Fisheries which has responsibility for the financing and management of the NND.

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NND is a knowledge company that relies on special expertise to be able to carry out its mission. Today, NND counts 170 employees. A large proportion of employees have extensive experience from the Department of Energy Engineering and work with the research reactors.

In addition to the expertise from when the research reactors were in operation, NND has recruited additional expertise to be able to carry out the decommissioning itself.

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The NND has set up a separate professional council to ensure that the decommissioning follows best international practice. In addition, reference groups have been established where civil society is represented through various organizations.

In order for NND to be able to carry out its mission to society, the Norwegian historic nuclear facilities must be taken over by NND from the Department of Energy Engineering (IFE). That means both facilities and personnel should be transferred NND.

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On April 2025, IFE's nuclear plant in Halden was transferred to NND. In the future, NND will also take over IFE's other nuclear plants in Lillestrøm and Aurskog-Høland.

NND and IFE are working closely together on the further business transfer. Examples of the collaboration include staff service sharing, joint projects, security assessments, preparation of strategies and plans, and planning for practical decommissioning.