At the Council meeting which took place on 11-12 February, ESS Management presented the results of the SSO (Steady State Operations) Project to Council, accompanied by a positive evaluation from the expert panel chaired by Dr. Zoë Bowden. The document was well received by the Council. In the upcoming spring, ESS Management, several Advisory Committees and a dedicated Council Working Group will conduct an in-depth analysis of specific elements of the SSO Plan. This thorough review is in preparation for important decisions to be made later this year regarding the Transition to SSO.
Further, the Council reviewed the current status of the radioactive waste disposal issue. In addition to a letter from the Swedish State Secretary for Education and Research received prior to the meeting, the Swedish delegation presented a statement from the Swedish government. This statement emphasised that multiple actions are currently underway to address the issue. The government is actively collaborating with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and other relevant authorities to expedite the resolution of waste management challenges.
During the strategy part of the meeting, the Council explored various aspects related to the transition to SSO. This included discussions on cost-sharing models and policy frameworks. Additionally, the Council was engaged by a presentation that shared valuable insights and lessons learned from the commissioning of target stations at ISIS and SNS.
Finally, Council re-elected Prof. Robert McGreevy as Council Chair and Dr. Andrea Fischer as Council Vice Chair for a second consecutive 2-year term. This decision reflects the Council's confidence in their leadership and dedication. Prof. McGreevy and Dr. Fischer have demonstrated exceptional commitment and effectiveness in their roles, contributing significantly to the Council's initiatives and goals. Their re-election ensures continuity in the strategic direction and ongoing projects, allowing ESS to build on the progress made during their previous term. The ESS Management looks forward to their continued guidance and leadership.
It was confirmed that the next Council meeting on 3-4 June will be hosted at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and DMSC in Denmark.