Halden municipality in eastern Norway has chosen Amentum to explore the feasibility of constructing a small modular reactor. The initiative aims to assist the municipality in evaluating whether nuclear energy can address its advanced energy requirements.
Amentum, in collaboration with local consulting firm Multiconsult Norge, will assess potential suppliers and examine technical standards, environmental impacts and other critical factors relevant to the project. The two companies are already working together on the town’s planned decommissioning of a nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor.
Amentum Senior Vice President Andy White said the company will use its expertise in SMR technology and nuclear supply chains to deliver an impartial and comprehensive analysis, aiding Halden Kjernekraft in making an informed decision. Last year, Halden Kjernekraft was formed by Norsk Kjernekraft, Østfold Energi and Halden municipality to address the power deficit in Oslo, Akershus and Østfold counties.
Nuclear Power in Norway
Norway has no power-producing nuclear reactors, but the country has operated four research reactors over the years — one at Halden and three at Kjeller. These reactors were active between 1951 and 2019 and played important roles in developing nuclear research and technology.
According to the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, ownership of these facilities is set to transition from the Institute for Energy Technology to the state-owned Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning, which will oversee the shutdown of the reactors and the management of nuclear waste.
In June, the Norwegian government set up a 12-member committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the potential establishment of nuclear power in the country. World Nuclear News reports that the committee’s mandate, developed by the Ministry of Energy, includes evaluating nuclear power’s compatibility with Norway’s energy system and analyzing costs, environmental impacts and regulatory frameworks. The committee is due to deliver its findings by the second quarter of 2026.