Mott MacDonald advising Dutch government on nuclear research facility

Mott MacDonald is advising the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport as lenders’ technical advisor, for the construction and start-up of commercial operation of the PALLAS-reactor and Nuclear Health Centre.

About one-third of all procedures used in modern hospitals involve the use of radiation and radioactivity, known as nuclear medicine. Demand for nuclear medicine is growing as new therapies are developed and access is increased around the world.

The global supply of isotopes necessary for nuclear medicine is at risk with five of the six main isotope producing reactors halting production in the next two decades.

The new PALLAS-reactor will replace the High Flux Reactor, which is located in Petten. The facility currently supplies around 30 percent of global isotope demand and is operated by the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG). It will be taken out of service as soon as the PALLAS reactor has taken over isotope production. The new reactor will also be used for research, development and innovation in support of the energy transition.

NRG|PALLAS is responsible for the realisation of the PALLAS-reactor and Nuclear Health Centre and will be funded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. A final investment decision from the Dutch government is expected to take place in the spring of 2023. This decision will be conditional upon (1) full coverage of the required investment in the project, (2) successful completion of the state aid procedure at the European Commission, (3) the legal procedures for establishing a government-owned company and (4) having a detailed plan for governance by the Dutch state.

“We’re proud to be able to contribute towards such a vital project for the global healthcare sector,” said Joost Bolck, divisional director Netherlands, Mott MacDonald.

“We have an experienced team with local expertise to deliver lenders’ technical advisory services for major design-build-finance-maintain infrastructure projects as well as international technical nuclear expertise from our experts in the UK.”

Mott MacDonald is currently advising the Dutch Ministry in their role as financier of the PALLAS-programme and in their future role as shareholder. With the basic design of the development complete, the tendering process for a general contractor for the project is expected to begin soon. The consultancy is also assisting the Dutch Ministry with a high-level technical review of the programme, establishing governance standards and monitoring project developments, such as contracting and procurement plans.

The consultancy will continue to offer technical advice during construction, commissioning and ramp-up through to the start of the facility’s commercial operation.