Sustainable Nuclear Waste Disposal in Cumbria: A New Era

Work begins on securing low-level nuclear waste in Cumbria, marking a key milestone in environmental management.

Share:

Sécurisation Innovante des Déchets Nucléaires

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

More than six decades have passed since the storage of low-level radioactive waste began at a site in Cumbria. Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) has begun covering and securing the filled trenches and vaults, paving the way for permanent closure.

This crucial initiative marks the start of a five-year operation. The first phase involves replacing the existing membrane on the old trenches, guaranteeing protection for the waste for a century. Historically, the site operated on the principle of a landfill, dumping waste at low levels into clay-based trenches and covering them with stone and earth. This process lasted around three decades.

Innovations in Nuclear Waste Management

In 1988, a major evolution took place with the introduction of a new system. Low-level waste was now placed in containers and cemented before being deposited in Vault 8, the forerunner of similar facilities on the site. Vault 8 had a total capacity of 200,000 cubic meters of waste.
The site has received waste from a variety of sources: nuclear power plants, defense establishments, general industries, hospitals and universities. Between 1959 and 1995, site operators stored around 800,000 cubic meters of waste in seven trenches, which they then covered with a temporary cap.

NWS commitment to safety and the environment

Mike Pigott, Director of Sites and Operations at NWS, emphasizes the importance of the Low-Level Waste Repository:

“This is a crucial national asset and essential to NWS’s mission. We are delighted to be making progress on this long-term project, securing the existing vaults and trenches is vital to the long-term protection of waste and the environment for future generations.”

An agreement has been reached for the design of the cap, along with the infrastructure needed to complete the task and the construction permit granted by the local authorities. NWS is committed to working with the community to maintain its social license to operate and to being a caring neighbor while carrying out its important mission.
The Cumbria site remains the UK’s leading low-level waste treatment facility, promoting the safe and environmentally approved disposal of such materials in purpose-built vaults. However, the authorities now give priority to reuse, recycling, decontamination and incineration, considering landfill as a last resort.

The NWS initiative in Cumbria represents a significant milestone in the management of low-level nuclear waste. It underlines a commitment to environmental safety and community responsibility, while paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally-friendly waste management methods.

Terra Innovatum has signed a memorandum of understanding with Conuar for the supply of key components for the industrial production of its SOLO micro-modular reactor, marking a strategic move into the South American market.
Validation of underground injection permits by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strengthens Dewey Burdock’s regulatory position and paves the way for state permitting expected in 2025.
Facing energy security challenges, several Southeast Asian countries are turning to nuclear and could invest up to $208bn to reach 25 GW of capacity, favouring small modular reactors.
A strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States aims to shorten nuclear licensing timelines and strengthen industrial cooperation around fusion and modular reactors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency projects global nuclear capacity to reach 992 GW by 2050, driven by small modular reactors and lifetime extensions of existing plants.
Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels have announced a target date of around September 19 to finalise their strategic consolidation, pending final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.
The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.