dekommissionering

Dekommissionering is the process of permanently taking a facility, installation, or asset out of service in a controlled manner, with the aim of containing risks to workers and the public, preventing environmental contamination, and, where possible, releasing the site for harmless reuse. The term is commonly used in Nordic and European contexts, and is closely related to the English term decommissioning.

The practice is applied to a range of installations, but it is most prominent for facilities that handled hazardous materials, especially radioactive substances, such as nuclear power plants, research reactors, and fuel-cycle facilities. It can also be applied to industrial plants, military bases, and large infrastructure projects that require end-of-life remediation.

Key phases of dekommissionering typically include planning and regulatory authorization, shutdown and safe isolation, decontamination and dismantling of equipment, waste treatment and disposal, site remediation, and the formal release of the site for reuse or return to nature. Documentation, safety analysis, and regulatory reporting are essential throughout the process. In nuclear contexts, release criteria determine when a site may no longer be subject to stringent radiological controls, or when it can be repurposed.

Regulatory frameworks for dekommissionering usually involve national nuclear and environmental authorities, international safety standards (for example, those published by the IAEA), licensing of decommissioning activities, and financial provisions to cover long-term costs. Challenges include high safety demands, complex waste management, long time horizons, and ensuring public trust. The goal is to achieve a safe, cost-effective transition that minimizes residual risk and enables appropriate post-decommissioning use of the site.