The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Competition for Low Level Waste Repository Launched

31 July 2006

The first ever competition for a nuclear management contract under the auspices of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is underway. The contract covers not only managing the operation of the country's only Low Level Waste (LLW) repository which is near to Drigg in West Cumbria but also the longer term development (and after approval, implementation) of a strategic plan for low level nuclear waste arising from the 20 sites across the UK overseen by the NDA. The potential costs of all long term low level waste management across those sites is estimated by the NDA to be significant.

Low Level nuclear waste is not only generated by the nuclear industry but also from other areas such as the Ministry of Defence, research establishments, universities, pharmaceutical manufacturers and hospitals. The waste can be paper, packaging, plastic sheeting, protective clothing or redundant equipment. Increasingly it can include heavier items from the NDA's growing nuclear decommissioning programme or from old industrial sites.

In March this year the Government approved the NDA's Strategy to clean-up and decommission all 20 sites. It included the introduction of a competitive market to the decommissioning industry, designed to attract world-class companies that can bring innovative techniques and new ways of working.

The NDA's Strategy lays out the overall approach to competition and details wide ranging pre-qualification criteria that any company who wishes to be involved would have to meet. The nuclear decommissioning market has evolved significantly over the last 12 to 18 months with some existing contractors bringing in outside support, forming partnerships and exploring alliances. The NDA supports this approach and wants to encourage organisations or consortia that will bring the expertise and innovation needed to deliver its remit.