UK nuclear plan progresses

28.06.11

After last week’s announcement that eight new nuclear reactors will be built in the UK, the Government has now published its first annual report on its Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme.

The eight new sites, announced by Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, are:

• Bradwell, Essex
• Hartlepool
• Heysham, Lancashire
• Hinkley Point, Somerset
• Oldbury, South Gloucestershire
• Sellafield, Cumbria
• Sizewell, Suffolk
• Wylfa, Anglesey

The programme focuses on the long-term geological disposal of the UK’s radioactive waste.

Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy, said:

“The UK has a substantial legacy of radioactive waste from a variety of nuclear programmes. This Government will not simply leave it to future generations to deal with.

“I would like us to set a goal of putting the first waste into a geological disposal facility by the end of 2029. I have tasked the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to look at opportunities for accelerating progress to meet this aim.”

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