The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

Committed teamwork across the Magnox South sites has enabled a significant step in hazard reduction at Bradwell, with the successful preparations and partial drain down of the centre bay cooling pond at the end of March.

A team of experts with a wealth of knowledge and skills in decommissioning reactor-cooling ponds came together from the five Magnox South sites to focus on the safe delivery of this high-hazard work.

The 'One Team' accomplishment demonstrates how future projects will be organised: bringing together a unique group of experts able to deliver compliantly, efficiently and safely.

 

The completion of this activity meets the criteria laid out in NDA's Departmental Strategic Objective (DSO) target, issued by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The DSO requires that we ensure progress in tackling the civil nuclear liability in line with agreed end-states for our sites.

The 'One Team' approach delivered:

 - Expertise in safe radiological procedures.

 - Innovative thinking and reprioritisation of the work schedule, resulting in the use of effective new methods.

 - Use of shared equipment across the sites, reducing costs.

 - Transfer of knowledge and skills in the use of different pond decommissioning technologies. Team members learned about the use of the Videoray underwater explorer to assess the condition of the pond.

 - Strong leadership that harnessed best practices and focused on safe, effective delivery from a committed team, which ensured successful results.

 

The majority of the activities involved in the initial pond drain-down required a working environment with increased change control and supervision. An integrated project schedule ensured effective management of all the activities leading up to the successful drain down.

Footnote

Water is used as a temporary storage facility for spent fuel contained in special skips. Once electricity generation has ceased, the on-site ponds require comprehensive emptying and cleaning as part of the decommissioning programme. The process is highly complex and is carried out to rigorous safety standards over a period of years.