Sellafield
Sellafield is a large, complex nuclear chemical facility that has supported the nuclear power programme since the 1940s, and has undertaken work for a number of organisations including United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Operations at Sellafield include processing of fuels removed from nuclear power stations; Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication; and storage of nuclear materials and radioactive wastes.
It is expected that the fuel reprocessing facilities and associated support facilities will continue to operate until current order books for planned fuel reprocessing services are closed. Any new business will depend upon the plans of customers and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), and subsequent ministerial approval.
However, the NDA long-term strategy for Sellafield is to decommission the site to a passively safe state with plutonium and uranium stored on site. Several facilities have already been, or are currently being decommissioned.
| Location | Sellafield site, Cumbria |
|---|---|
| Nuclear operation period | Operated since 1947-48 |
| Status | Partial decommissioning |
| Site licensee | Sellafield Ltd |
| Responsible organisation | Nuclear Decommissioning Authority |
