Public Raises 155 Objections to BER II Research Reactor Decommissioning in Germany

Consultation Concludes for BER II Decommissioning

The public consultation phase for the decommissioning of the BER II research reactor in Berlin, Germany, has concluded, with a total of 155 objections submitted by citizens and associations. The consultation allowed interested parties to review application documents from November 18, 2025, to January 28, 2026, and voice their concerns regarding the dismantling process of the former research facility.

Background of the BER II Reactor

The BER II was a research reactor operated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) for Materials and Energy, located in Berlin-Wannsee. Commissioned in late 1973, it served for four decades, providing neutrons for scientific research, including material engineering studies, medicine, and other technological purposes. The reactor, a pool type with a thermal output of 15 MW, was permanently shut down in December 2019, following a decision by the HZB Supervisory Board in 2013.

Nature of Public Objections

The 155 objections received covered approximately 40 different topics. These concerns originated from various federal states, with the majority coming from North Rhine-Westphalia, and about a third from Berlin and Brandenburg. Additionally, two nature conservation associations and two other civil society organizations formally submitted comments. While specific details of all objections are not publicly itemized, the HZB has acknowledged public demands for 'greatest care, strict observation of all safety regulations, and as little impact on the environment' during the dismantling process. A significant aspect of the decommissioning involves the management of radioactive waste, including the transport of spent fuel elements to the Ahaus interim storage facility and the temporary storage of other radioactive waste on the Wannsee campus until the Schacht Konrad final repository is operational.

Next Steps in the Decommissioning Process

Following the conclusion of the consultation, the nuclear regulatory authority is now tasked with evaluating all timely and properly submitted objections. This evaluation will be succeeded by a discussion phase, allowing for further clarification of the objections. Subsequently, the authority will compile a summary and assessment of the project's environmental impact. The timeline for a final decision on the decommissioning application remains undetermined. The overall plan is for the BER II to be fully dismantled by the end of the 2020s.