Sellafield plutonium set for immobilisation

Plutonium has accumulated at Sellafield for decades as a byproduct of spent nuclear fuel. The government had been exploring the possibility of reusing the stockpile as mixed oxide fuel (MOX), in which plutonium is combined with uranium and used in nuclear plants. However, following extensive analysis by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), immobilising the plutonium has been selected as the best option.  

“Implementing a long-term solution for plutonium is essential to dealing with the UK’s nuclear legacy and leaving the environment safer for future generations,” said energy minister Michael Shanks. 

“Continued, indefinite, long-term storage leaves a burden of security risks and proliferation sensitivities for future generations to manage. It is the government’s objective to put this material beyond reach, into a form which both reduces the long-term safety and security burden during storage and ensures it is suitable for disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility [GDF].”

According to the NDA, it will now seek to identify the best technological solution for immobilisation. The plutonium will be converted into a safer and more stable form before ultimately being sent to the long-awaited GDF, for which a suitable site in the UK has yet to be found. New processing and storage facilities will be developed at Sellafield for the plutonium disposition, bringing ‘thousands’ of jobs during construction and ‘hundreds’ during operation.

“This allows us to continue to deliver on our commitment to safely, securely, and sustainably deal with the UK’s civil nuclear legacy,” said David Peattie, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Group CEO.

“It will open up opportunities in areas including research and development, project planning, construction, engineering, and operations.”

Organisations involved in the delivery of the work will include the NDA Group, Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Waste Services, as well as the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory and the wider nuclear supply chain.

“We have safely and securely managed plutonium at Sellafield since the 1940s, developing world leading expertise in the process,” said Euan Hutton, Sellafield Ltd CEO.

“The decision to immobilise the material places Sellafield at the centre of the effort, working with the NDA, NWS and our partners including the supply chain, to create a solution that delivers maximum value for all of our stakeholders.”