Slovakia’s experience in the field of decommissioning of nuclear facilities and radioactive waste management has become part of an international training programme organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Last week, the School on Nuclear Decommissioning Technologies began at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna; JAVYS is contributing to the organization and technical programme of the event as part of the activities of the IAEA–JAVYS Collaborating Centre. This week, the programme continues with practical demonstrations directly in Slovakia.
The two-week international school is intended for experts from around the world who are involved in the preparation and implementation of activities related to the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. In Slovakia, experts from China, Japan, France, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Spain, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Indonesia are learning how to decommission nuclear power plants. The event aims to develop both theoretical and practical skills and to create a forum for the exchange of experiences among participants and experts with vast experience from various countries.
The event covers topics ranging from the characterization of nuclear facilities and decommissioning preparation, through the selection and application of dismantling technologies, to the management of materials and radioactive waste, as well as the completion of decommissioning projects.
“JAVYS has extensive practical experience with the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. We therefore consider it natural that we not only apply the know-how we have acquired to our own projects but also share it with the international professional community. At the same time, our cooperation with the IAEA allows us to compare our experiences with the practices and experiences of our international partners,” said Miroslav Obert, the CEO of JAVYS.
The first week of the school took place at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna. Company JAVYS was represented at the official opening by Michal Belianský, Head of Development Projects Unit, and Milan Bárdy, Member of the Board of Directors and V1 NPP Decommissioning and PMU Division Director.
From Vienna directly to Slovak nuclear facilities
From the 31st of August the second part of the event was held in Slovakia. Here the practical aspect of the training is to take centre stage. Participants will complete a specialized programme in Trnava and participate in site visits of JAVYS facilities.
In Jaslovské Bohunice, they will visit the decommissioned V1 nuclear power plant, where the final phase of the project focused on the demolition of buildings and structures as well as release of the V1 NPP site from administrative control is in progress. They will also visit the Bohunice Radioactive Waste Treatment facility, where they will learn about the specific procedures and technologies used in the decommissioning and radioactive waste processing.
The event will continue with a visit to the National Radioactive Waste Repository in Mochovce, where participants will learn about the repository’s activities and Slovakia’s experience in this field.
JAVYS experts will be directly involved in lectures, presentations, and practical exercises during the week in Slovakia. The agenda includes the company’s practical experience with the A1 and V1 NPP decommissioning, as well as the dismantling, decontamination, and subsequent management of radioactive waste generated during decommissioning.
Long-Term Partnership Between JAVYS and the IAEA
Cooperation at the international school builds on the long-standing professional relationship between company JAVYS and the International Atomic Energy Agency. This includes the IAEA–JAVYS Collaborating Centre, which focuses on the effective implementation of nuclear facility decommissioning projects and projects related to radioactive waste management. The centre’s cooperation will continue through the period from 2025 to 2029.
The international school bridges the IAEA’s technical expertise with the experience gained through the implementation of specific projects. For JAVYS, it also serves as an opportunity to present Slovak know-how in the field of decommissioning to the international expert community and to reaffirm its position as an active technical partner of the IAEA.
About JAVYS, a. s.:
JAVYS, a.s. is responsible for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. It implements key back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle projects, with an emphasis on nuclear safety, environmental standards and sustainable development of the Slovak Republic.
Peter Podstupka
Communications Manager
