Current Storage Policy
When a nuclear powered submarine leaves naval service, its fuel is removed for storage at Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Sellafield and the remaining radioactive material, which is contained securely in the Reactor Compartment, remains in the submarine. The submarines are currently stored afloat.
This process, known as Defuel De-equip and Lay-up Preparation (DDLP) is conducted as soon as practicable after the vessel leaves service. During the DDLP all the submarine systems are depressurised and drained including the reactor systems, and the hull openings are secured to prevent water ingress. Preservation and corrosion protection is undertaken to ensure the watertight integrity of the vessel. Daily inspections and regular maintenance periods are also carried out to ensure the vessel is maintained to a high standard of preservation and safety.
Background
Afloat storage has proved to be a safe arrangement for over twenty years. However, it is estimated that current afloat storage capacity will be reached before 2020. Project ISOLUS was established to find an interim land-based storage solution for radioactive material from the 27 nuclear powered submarines, of which 11 have left naval service and are currently stored safely afloat – seven at Rosyth and four at Devonport.
ISOLUS Investigation
In 1998 Ministers approved an internal MOD study (ISOLUS Investigation) to consider the options for interim storage of radioactive material from decommissioned nuclear powered submarines until a final national waste management facility becomes available. The study concluded that the bulk of the material in the submarines can be recycled, with the remaining Reactor Compartment – either complete or reduced to packaged waste – stored safely on land.
Proposal for Dismantling HMS Renown
In May 2000 it was announced that Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited (BRDL), owners of Rosyth Dockyard, had made an unsolicited commercial proposal to dismantle the Reactor Compartment of HMS Renown. Seen as a useful test of the feasibility of one of the possible land storage methods, BRDL were asked to proceed with planning and feasibility work. Ministers made clear that a decision on implementation of the proposal would depend on BRDL gaining necessary safety approvals from the independent regulators (the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency).
A MOD produced Environmental Impact Assessment found the effects to the environment of the proposed work would be low, and although there was no reason to doubt that the necessary safety approvals would not be given, Ministers decided not to proceed with their proposal. The process of inviting industry to submit proposals under Project ISOLUS had already started, and any knowledge to be gained from dismantling Renown would not be available in time to inform industry’s proposals.
Project ISOLUS
Project ISOLUS involves identifying the most suitable land storage solution and location(s) for the cut up of the decommissioned submarines and for the subsequent storage of radioactive material contained within the Reactor Compartment.
Consultation
Following an announcement in Parliament in May 2000 that we were reviewing our strategy, we gave presentations to the media and those groups with an interest in environmental matters of this kind. This marked the start of a consultation process that will last several years. Ministers have made it clear throughout that public consultation is an important aspect of the work. More information on the consultation process is available on the Lancaster University run independent website in the related links section of this page. The site includes unclassified versions of the outline proposals submitted by industry in 2003.
Front-End Consultation (2001)
In November 2000 Lancaster University was engaged to carry out the first of three planned independent consultations. They set up a Project Consultation Steering Group, with independent members to review the consultation process and its findings and to make recommendations regarding subsequent stages in the consultation process. This group includes academics and representatives from interested external parties, the UK’s independent regulators and industry.
A series of Focus Groups were held at various locations around the UK, and Stakeholders’ Workshops and a Citizens’ Panel were created. The results of these indicate public support for storing the radioactive material from decommissioned submarines on land, and acceptance that consultation is a positive step.
Some sixty-five recommendations were put forward; MOD has accepted fifty-seven of these and is considering another five as the project progresses.
Consultation on ISOLUS Outline Proposals (CIOP) (2003)
The second of the three planned public consultations was undertaken in late 2003 by Lancaster University, to consider the issues about finding the best interim storage solution and to gauge the public’s reaction to the proposals. The University published a report of the consultation’s findings in May 2004, in the form of 50 recommendations. In addition, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the devolved administrations are considering the options for a national radioactive waste management policy. This work is currently looking at possible technical solutions through the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoWRM), who are due to report their recommendations in 2006.
The MOD’s response to the consultation, which reflects the thoughts of other Government Departments and the devolved administrations, recognises that future ISOLUS considerations should closely align with the work of the CoRWM. No further work on potential sites will therefore be undertaken until CoRWN reports its recommendations to Government in 2006. In the meantime, and in recognition of the strength of feeling amongst the public that the MOD should take more control regarding technical aspects of the project and not expect industry to undertake this work, a number of technical studies will be undertaken. There will of course be further public consultation before any final decisions are made on an ISOLUS solution and site(s).
MOD Review of Coastal Sites
This exercise, which was separate to the public consultation that was carried out on industry’s outline proposals, was undertaken to assess the suitability of MOD owned coastal sites for storage of intact Reactor Compartments. It was carried out following a commitment made to industry at a briefing day in February 2003 and a subsequent request for MOD site options from one of the four industry bidders, SERCO Assurance (in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd and RWE Nukem Ltd). A total of 118 MOD owned coastal sites were considered. Coastal sites were considered on the basis that moving intact Reactor Compartments inland was ruled out due to their size (750 tonnes and the size of two double-decker buses).
One MOD owned coastal site, Coulport (Argyll & Bute), was found potentially suitable. However, no further work will be carried out at this stage, or to identify new potential storage sites, until CoRWM has made its recommendations to Government in 2006.
The results of the review have been published on the ISOLUS website. It lists all 118 sites that were considered and also provides details of the assessment criteria used in the down selection process.
What Next?
Until the CoWRM reports its recommendations to Government in 2006, no further work on potential sites will be undertaken. The MOD will, in the meantime, carry out a number of technical studies. No decisions on an ISOLUS solution or site(s) will be taken without further public consultation.
