The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

While a geological disposal facility for higher activity radioactive waste may not be available for some time, we want to ensure all of those organisations who may need to use it in the future are well informed about developments. 

To help achieve this we have set up what we call a Geological Disposal Facility Users' Group.  The group provides a forum for senior staff from organisations including:

• EdF
• Centrica
• Ministry of Defence and
• Others

NDA and its Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) senior staff share information and discuss issues with these organisations. 

The Government's Managing Radioactive Waste Safety (MRWS) White Paper published in 2008 sets out how a geological disposal facility for higher activity radioactive waste could accommodate both the legacy wastes and any future wastes arising from a new nuclear build programme. 

This covers the wastes from the NDA sites including

• the old Magnox power stations
• Sellafield
• Dounreay
• Harwell and Winfrith.

It also includes

• the EdF owned and operated Advanced Gas cooled Reactors (AGR) and
• Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR at Sizewell B) and
• Ministry of Defence waste. 

The White Paper stated that Government believes it would be technically feasible to dispose of the legacy waste and any waste arising from a new nuclear build programme in a single facility. 

NDA is tasked with implementing geological disposal through our Radioactive Waste Management Directorate. Government is leading the site selection process as set out in the White Paper and which is based on voluntarism and partnership with potential host communities.

• Our role in geological disposal

• More information on MRWS