01 April 2009

The NDA has published a review of interim storage of higher activity waste (HAW) within the UK.

 UK Radioactive Higher Activity Waste Storage Review March 2009 (2Mb)

The review was undertaken on behalf of UK Government to meet the NDA's Strategy commitment and a response to the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to look at the storage arrangements pending the availability of a Geological Disposal Facility. In the review reference to geological disposal only applies to UK and Welsh Assembly governments as the Scottish government does not support deep geological disposal and has a policy of long term interim storage for HAW.

Interim storage is an integral part of the long term management of Higher Activity Wastes. A key conclusion is that storage strategies should allow HAW to be stored safely for 100 years or more. Interim storage is an essential part of NDA Strategy however NDA will continue to deal with high hazard/environmental risk wastes at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that it is disposed of as soon as it is safe to do so.

Graham Jonsson, Head of Higher Activity Waste Strategy at the NDA said:

"We undertook extensive consultation as part of the review. The feedback that we received was extremely useful and enabled NDA to develop the priorities within the forward programme that would support NDA plans for interim storage of higher activity wastes with future engagement  taking place as we continue to develop NDA Strategy".