Biznes Fakty
There is a permit to operate the MARIA reactor
The President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (NAEA) has granted a license for the operation of the MARIA research reactor. This decision is valid indefinitely, according to the agency’s announcement.
The prior authorization from the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (NAEA) for the MARIA nuclear research reactor at the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Świerk lapsed on March 31 of this year after a decade. Consequently, the reactor has been inactive since the start of April this year.
New permit
The PAA stated that following a thorough evaluation of the National Centre for Nuclear Research’s application, the President of the PAA approved a new license for the MARIA reactor on July 31.
Reactor Maria Piotr Nowak/PAP„The President of the NAEA’s decision was preceded by extensive months of review and evaluation of all documents submitted with the application, during which the applicant was repeatedly asked to clarify and provide additional information on unclear aspects related to the safe operation of the facility,” the agency noted.
It was emphasized that, in accordance with the Atomic Law regulations, the draft permit was submitted for consultation to the Council for Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection (BJiOR), and subsequently to the applicant.
Read more: Research reactor Maria may soon resume operation >>>
There will be regular inspections
As reported by the National Agency for Nuclear Research (NAA), on July 31, 2025, the President of the NAA issued an indefinite operating permit for the reactor. In this permit, the President outlined specific operational conditions for the reactor, compliance with which by the National Centre for Nuclear Research ensures the safe functioning of the facility.
MARIA nuclear reactor celebrates its birthday National Centre for Nuclear ResearchThe agency indicated that the reactor’s operations, including adherence to the permit stipulations, will be monitored during regular inspections by nuclear regulatory inspectors from the National Atomic Energy Agency, as well as through periodic safety evaluations.
MARIA nuclear reactor
The only active nuclear reactor in Poland, named Maria (in tribute to Maria Skłodowska-Curie), was launched in Świerk (now a part of Otwock) in December 1974 and commenced regular operations in 1995.
According to information available on government websites, this reactor, with a nominal thermal power of 30 MW, serves as a research reactor—the largest research facility at the National Centre for Nuclear Research. The term „research reactor” signifies that it is not designed to produce energy for external consumers (including those located within the centre’s premises).
„The MARIA reactor’s output fulfills a significant portion of the global demand for iodine-131, which is utilized in thyroid treatments. Additionally, the reactor has adopted uranium target irradiation technology to produce molybdenum, which is essential for obtaining technetium-99m – the most crucial nuclide for nuclear medicine today,” reported the National Centre for Nuclear Research.
