RATEN ICN Pitești Hosted High-Level Delegation from NEA/OECD and ANDR

RATEN ICN Pitești (Institute for Nuclear Research) hosted on November 18, 2025, the visit of a high-level delegation of NEA and ANDR, focused on advanced nuclear technology and international cooperation.

The delegation was led by Mr. William D. Magwood IV, Director General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), accompanied by Ms. Elisa De Siati, NEA Advisor, Nuclear Technology Analyst, and Strategic Policies, and Ms. Ramona Popescu, Vice President of ANDR (National Agency for Radioactive Waste).

The core of the discussions centered on RATEN's role and contribution to the development of Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) technology. Discussions highlighted the strategic importance of the ALFRED Project, a major national and European project and the institute's involvement in the EAGLES 300 project, underscoring RATEN's commitment to cutting-edge research.

The delegation was given a comprehensive tour of two key experimental facilities, representing significant recent investments: ATHENA: A pool-type facility dedicated to advanced thermohydraulic tests, and ChemLab: A state-of-the-art laboratory for lead chemistry research.

These facilities were established under the project “Alfred – Stage 1, support research infrastructure: Athena (pool-type facility for thermohydraulic tests) and ChemLab (lead chemistry laboratory)” which received essential funding through the Romanian Operational Programs (POC and POCIDIF).

The visit confirms the international recognition of RATEN ICN Pitești as a key player in the research and development of Generation IV nuclear technologies.