Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 62
62
Accepted
Paragraph: 296
Establishment of a Geological Disposal Facility faces significant delays and cost uncertainties.
Conclusion
Since 2006, Government policy has been to establish a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. Despite this, Nuclear Waste Services, which is the body responsible for establishing a GDF, is not at the point of having found a community willing to host a GDF or to be able to conduct the detailed geological investigation required to establish a suitable site for a GDF. The timelines and costs for building a GDF are also uncertain.
Government Response Summary
The government outlines specific timelines for the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) process, aiming to select sites for characterisation by 2026–27, conduct deep boreholes around 2029–30, begin construction in the 2040s, and have the GDF operational by the 2050s.
Paragraph Reference:
296
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The current process to identify a location in which to develop a GDF was launched in England in December 2018, and in Wales in January 2019. The estimated timescale for development of a GDF compares favourably with other countries that are implementing geological disposal using a siting process similar to the UK. For example, Finland began its process in 1983 and began construction in 2016. Their facility is expected to be operational by the mid-2020s. Sweden began their siting process in 1992 and identified a suitable site in 2009 and construction was approved in January 2022. By 2026–27, we are aiming to have selected sites we want to take forward for more detail site characterisation (involving the drilling of deep investigatory boreholes around 2029– 30) so that we can fully understand the geology before committing to a site. The GDF will operate for over 100 years and needs to provide protection for the radioactive waste it will contain, which will remain hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years. That means investing in finding a suitable site that has been properly investigated to ensure it provides the necessary geological characteristics to keep the waste safe and secure. Our policy requires both suitable geology and a willing community. It requires Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to work in partnership with communities that enter the siting process as it investigates possible locations in the area. This allows the community to develop its understanding of a GDF and the economic benefits inherent in hosting it. The current estimate is that construction will begin in the 2040s with a GDF operational in the 2050s, but timing may change depending on the complexity of the geological investigations and community support. The Government agrees that new nuclear power plants should not be halted until a GDF has been established. As noted, the UK has been producing and managing radioactive waste arising from nuclear power stations and other sectors for many decades. Around 94% of this waste is low in radioactivity and is disposed of safely every day in existing facilities. The remaining higher activity waste and spent nuclear fuel is currently stored safely and securely in facilities around the UK. Until such time a GDF is available, nuclear operators will continue to do this. The process to identify a suitable site for a GDF in England and Wales has a number of areas that are interested in hosting this facility and have entered the siting process. summer in some of these areas.