The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

22 December 2011

The Minister of State for Energy, Charles Hendry, asked our Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) to review the programme for implementing geological disposal of higher activity radioactive waste with a view to bringing the date for first waste emplacement forward from the planned 2040 date to 2029.

He also asked us to look at reducing the timescales for first emplacement of high level waste (currently 2075) as well as the dates for spent fuel and waste from new build power stations presently indicated to take place in 2130.

We have today published a preliminary response to the Minister's request:

 Geological Disposal: Review of options for accelerating implementation of the geological disposal programme (1Mb)

The report says: "There are fundamental principles that are critical to the success of the implementation of the geological disposal programme. These are: the vital role of voluntarism and partnership with local communities (as set out in the Government's Managing Radioactive Waste Safely White Paper); and, the need for technical and scientific work necessary to underpin the safe disposal of radioactive waste to be done rigorously and to the required high standard. These principles are central to our (RWMD) approach and for any proposals to accelerate the implementation programme."

The report sets out three scenarios that incorporate increasingly innovative approaches and provide a range of options for review.

Scenario 1 incorporates a similar logic to the baseline programme but with consideration of additional resources and transfer of technology from overseas. Scenario 2 introduces a different approach to implementation with phased site investigation, safety case development, permissioning and disposal for different waste types. Scenario 3 explores more novel approaches combining the staged approach of Scenario 2 with alternative disposal methods. The options described in Scenarios 2 and 3 have the potential for greater acceleration through adoption of innovative approaches but carry with them significantly greater programme risk. The options described in Scenario 1 offer the potential for programme acceleration with the least increase in risk to programme delivery.

At the December meeting of the Geological Disposal Implementation Board (GDIB), Minister of State for Energy, Charles Hendry, who chairs the meeting announced that Government will commission a peer review of the report and seek a formal view on the report from the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).

Bruce McKirdy, RWMD's Managing Director said:

"Over the next 12 months, following the peer review, we plan to concentrate our efforts on addressing uncertainties and provide additional underpinning where necessary. This will require us to consult with regulators, CoRWM, community representatives and other stakeholders. As part of this work, we will undertake a structured programme risk assessment that factors uncertainty into the implementation programme.

After these steps we expect to be in a position to consider whether or not changes to the programme would be realistic. Potential changes to the programme will be carefully considered involving potential host communities."

• More information on our role in geological disposal