The UK’s nuclear decommissioning program is at a pivotal moment, with new collaborations and technological advances accelerating progress across the sector.
The formal partnership between the UK Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), coupled with the breakthrough on plutonium safety at Sellafield, signals a national, concerted effort to tackle the challenges of legacy nuclear power while laying the foundations for future fusion power generation.
NDA Group Chief Nuclear Strategy Officer Clive Nixon explained: “NDA Group is at the forefront of nuclear decommissioning. We have one of the most experienced and skilled nuclear workforces in the world and are developing pioneering solutions with applications in the nuclear sector and beyond.”
“The environment in which we work is unique and complex, so working with UKAEA will be extremely beneficial in terms of sharing expertise and knowledge to overcome some of the common challenges we face.
“This agreement allows us to build on the positive work we have done together to date and realize further benefits, including increased efficiency for taxpayers and accelerated execution of our mission.”
Strategic partnerships to improve nuclear decommissioning
UKAEA and NDA have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing long-standing cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The agreement aims to accelerate best practice, innovation and efficiency across some of the UK’s largest nuclear decommissioning programmes.
NDA is overseeing the cleanup of 17 of the UK’s original nuclear facilities, representing one of the largest and most technically demanding decommissioning and remediation efforts in Europe.
By working more closely with UKAEA, the NDA will share and benefit from lessons learned across fission and fusion programmes, contributing to risk management, cost reduction and improved long-term outcomes.
JET decommissioning provides insight into the future
At the heart of the agreement is the decommissioning of the Joint European Torus (JET), one of the world’s leading fusion research facilities operated by UKAEA.
As JET transitions from plasma operations to decommissioning and reuse, JET’s Decommissioning and Reuse (JDR) team is leveraging NDA’s expertise to incorporate proven approaches early in the planning process.
Advice from NDA experts is already supporting JET in areas such as waste disposal routes, regulatory compliance and processing infrastructure.
Incorporating this experience is expected to accelerate efficiency gains and ensure that JET’s decommissioning becomes a benchmark for future fusion facilities, including the next generation of commercial fusion power plants.
Innovation flows both ways
This partnership is not a one-sided exchange. Technologies and techniques developed for JET’s unique converged environment may be adapted for use on some of the NDA assets.
The two organizations are already working together through RAICo, a robotics and artificial intelligence collaboration that highlights how digital tools and automation can transform nuclear decommissioning.
This multidisciplinary approach reflects common challenges faced by fusion and fission programs, including hazardous waste management, remote operations, and long-term in-situ remediation.
UK reaches plutonium processing milestone
Alongside the new partnership, NDA Group has achieved the UK’s first nuclear safety milestone at its Sellafield facility.
For the first time, cans of plutonium residue have been safely processed into a stable form of waste, an important step towards a permanent commitment to Britain’s plutonium heritage.
This breakthrough began a program to treat approximately 400 cans of plutonium residue, a byproduct of historic fuel and materials production.
Processing takes place in a securely operated facility since the mid-1980s, demonstrating how reusing existing infrastructure can achieve rapid results.
Next up: Locking in Britain’s plutonium stockpile
Building on this success, the NDA Group now faces its biggest challenge yet: locking in the UK’s entire stock of civilian separated plutonium.
The program, commissioned by the government in January 2025, aims to secure plutonium in perpetuity by fixing it in a stable form for disposal in future geological repository facilities.
Backed by £154m of government funding over five years, the initiative will support around 100 jobs, primarily in Cumbria.
NDA Group CEO David Peaty concluded: “This first UK milestone demonstrates NDA Group’s unparalleled expertise and is a special recognition of the Sellafield team whose innovation and specialist skills have made this achievement possible.”
“While a complete immobilization program will take many decades, processing this first residue can into a single-use form represents a major breakthrough and was achieved within 12 months of the policy being announced.
“Tackling the UK’s plutonium issue will remain a top priority for the NDA Group for decades to come. With the support of the Government’s significant investment in this mission, we are proud to be leading the way in making the UK safer for generations to come.”
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