NWS Annual Review 2022 to 2023 – Making nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner
Report highlights safety record, GDF progress, and sustainable management of nuclear waste
Nuclear Waste Services’ (NWS) vision and mission is vitally important to the UK today and for future generations. We’re here to make nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner, and our mission is to become the ‘one-stop shop’ for the management of nuclear waste in the UK.
NWS was formed in 2022, bringing together the best of the UK’s expertise in radioactive waste management. With a view of the full waste management cycle, our skilled workforce is developing new treatment technologies and services to overcome the challenges of managing and disposing of nuclear waste safely and securely.
We support the UK across many areas including the nuclear energy industry, defence, industrial users of radioactivity, and the public health sector.
NWS has today published its Annual Review for 2022 to 2023. This has been our first full year operating as NWS, and in this short time we’ve created momentum and delivered a huge amount:
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We’ve strengthened as the UK’s integrated expert nuclear waste management organisation. We’re building expertise at NWS and creating a culture and behaviours to optimise delivery, efficiencies, and value in all areas of operation.
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We’ve continued to safely operate the UK’s national Low Level Waste Repository in Cumbria – with zero major safety incidents in 2022 to 2023. The continued safe, secure, and environmentally compliant operation of our repository is the foundation on which we build our mission.
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Progress was made with the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, with three communities across England currently engaged in the process and early site evaluation work well underway. NWS had also been engaging with the Allerdale community. Following a comprehensive evaluation of information NWS has taken the decision not to take Allerdale further in the siting process.
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The Integrated Waste Management Programme is helping to improve the management of radioactive waste by introducing new technologies and capabilities and enabling a more joined-up approach; and
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We have safely diverted huge volumes of nuclear waste away from disposal at our Low Level Waste Repository site. This has been achieved through a range of characterisation and treatment services, ensuring that only wastes which require the protection of an engineered vault are disposed of at our site and saving taxpayers millions of pounds. In 2022 to 2023, 1689te of metallic waste was treated with 98% released for recycling.
In a joint statement NWS Chair of the Board Adriènne Kelbie CBE and NWS CEO Corhyn Parr, said:
Our vision is clear – we’re here to make nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner. As a new organisation, we’ve seen some significant successes and progress. We’re delighted with our safety record, the progress we are making to deliver a Geological Disposal Facility, the innovations we are leading, and the value we’re adding.
We’re particularly proud of how NWS is growing and strengthening - not only with world class expertise but also by creating an inclusive culture where everyone has a role to play in achieving our vision.
We are focused on doing the right thing for our people, partners, customers, and communities where we operate. We’re energised, excited, and ready to build on our progress, respond to challenges, and continue to deliver our mission.
The UK has been producing and managing nuclear waste for many decades and will continue to do so for many more. Today, nuclear power is viewed by the UK Government as essential to the low-carbon energy mix and securing our energy supply in the future. The Welsh Government also supports nuclear new build. Therefore, the ability to safely manage and dispose of nuclear waste today and for future generations is crucial.
We are a core part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, which is responsible for keeping the UK’s former nuclear sites and facilities safe and secure as they are decommissioned.
You can view the full Annual Review for 2022 to 2023 now.
Annual Review 2023 to 2023: Videos
Q&A with Adriènne Kelbie CBE, Chair of the Board at Nuclear Waste Services
In conversation with Nuclear Waste Services CEO, Corhyn Parr