The plans to safely and efficiently decommission seven advanced gas cooled reactors have been agreed between EDF, the UK Government. This new partnership will save taxpayers around £1 billion as they work together on this project.
The latest arrangement means EDF will aim to shorten the time it takes to safely remove the fuel from power stations as they come offline. Before transferring ownership of these plants, this company is working closely with NDA on a plan that provides for safe disposal and ensures radiation safety when dismantling any buildings or equipment in close proximity.
The Nuclear Decomissioning Authority appointed a new Sellafield char, Tony Meggs, who was essential in taking the steps towards this agreement. Mr. Meggs is an experienced executive that has overseen some of the most successful public projects in recent years, including Crossrail and BP Central Project Management Division head.
In this position he oversaw a team responsible for technology research and development which led to him being appointed as one of 10 members on the UK’s Research Council Advisory Board at its inception last year.
The UK Government’s report shared words with the Minister of State for Energy. Anne Marie Trevelyan, who said: “Today’s deal marks an important milestone in managing the legacy of our older nuclear power stations, ensuring these stations are decommissioned safely and efficiently. By using the unique expertise of both EDF and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, we will ensure costs are reduced, saving the taxpayer an estimated £1 billion.
You can also view the agreement in this fact sheet by the UK Government.
It forms part of our wider commitment to the future of nuclear energy, including looking to reach a final investment decision on at least one nuclear power station by the end of this Parliament, alongside harnessing new and exciting advanced nuclear technology.”
EDF announced the closure of their first nuclear power station after 43 years in operation in 2018. The reactor at Dungeness B will be closed down for good, and all nuclear fuel to be removed before any clean-up can take place. It was expected that this process should only take a few weeks to complete.
“Chief Executive of EDF, Simone Rossi, said:
We are committed to delivering value to the taxpayer via the NLF and the revised arrangements provide the certainty we need to plan and deliver safe and cost-effective defueling. The arrangements also provide our employees and supply chain partners important clarity over jobs for the coming years.
We look forward to building on our collaborative partnership with the NDA to ensure successful defueling with Sellafield and a seamless transfer of the AGR stations to Magnox.”
Defueling is the process of removing nuclear fuel from a closed station to prepare for decommissioning. This first stage in clean up requires all radioactive material be removed before entering into abeyance – care and maintenance, which allows time for radioactivity to decay.
Chief Executive of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, David Peattie, said:
We are delighted to have been directed by government to take on the future ownership of the 7 EDF advanced gas reactor sites for future decommissioning. The work will be undertaken by our subsidiary Magnox Ltd and this decision is a testament of the skills, knowledge and experience held in the NDA and Magnox.
This work is of national importance and we now look forward to working with EDF to ensure the seamless transfer of stations in the coming years.
Chair of the Nuclear Liabilities Fund, Richard Wohanka, said:
These revised arrangements will form a sound basis for the safe decommissioning of the AGR stations and we welcome the renewed focus on collaboration between all parties. The Trustees of the NLF look forward to a continuing strong and supportive working relationship with BEIS, EDF and NDA over the course of the decommissioning programme.