Nuclear industry seeks clean up solutions
10 May 2016
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has awarded several consortia £12 million worth of research & development funding as it looks to solve the industry’s nuclear waste problem.
The consortia, which include UK universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger businesses, are spilt into three categories — which covers the NDA’s "university research strategy" and its "strategic themes".
According to the NDA, its top priorities are safety, security and environmental responsibility.
With many new organisations involved for the first time we will have broad input into addressing our R&D requirements
NDA research manager Yvonne Morris
The latest R&D framework contract wins, which were last awarded in 2012, will cover the next four years.
The first group will focus on “university interactions” and will be led by the National Nuclear Laboratory — which is designed to help reduce the cost of decommissioning, while also attracting new talent to the industry.
The second group, which is split into six consortia, is led by the likes of Amec Foster Wheeler and NSG Environmental.
That group has been tasked with looking at integrated waste management and site decommissioning and remediation potential.
Meanwhile, the third group will research spent fuels and nuclear materials.
Split into three consortia, the group will be led by Amec Foster Wheeler and the National Nuclear Laboratory.
Announcing the contract wins, NDA research manager Yvonne Morris said: “We now have new multi-supplier contracts aligned with our key strategic themes. With many new organisations involved for the first time we will have broad input into addressing our R&D requirements.”
