Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Sellafield Ltd adopted a new, cheaper plan for analytical services despite long-term uncertainties.
Conclusion
Sellafield Ltd now plans to convert a different building to support SRP, and also refurbish the existing building so it can carry on using it until 2040 (whereas RAP had been expected to remain in use until 2070).49 The NDA told us that it expects this to cost between £420 million and £840 million – which is considerably less than RAP would have cost. It also told us that it currently expects that SRP will only be delayed by around one year – though there is still a lot of uncertainty around how long the gap would be (or whether there would even be a gap at all). There could, however, be further costs if the facility is required to continue operating beyond 2040. 44 Letter from the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority relating to Public Accounts Committee’s visit to Sellafield, 17 March 2025, page 2 45 Letter from the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority relating to Public Accounts Committee’s visit to Sellafield, 17 March 2025; C&AG’s report, para 2.17 46 Letter from the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority relating to Public Accounts Committee’s visit to Sellafield, 17 March 2025, page 2; C&AG’s report, para 2.18 47 C&AG’s report, para 2.20 48 Letter from the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority relating to Public Accounts Committee’s visit to Sellafield, 17 March 2025, page 2 49 Letter from the Group Chief Executive Officer at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority relating to the oral evidence session held on 20 March on Decommissioning Sellafield, 4 April 2025, page 3; Q69 15 The NDA told us that it believes it does not make sense to spend money now to enable this due to the uncertainty about what analysis will be required after 2040 and the potential for technological innovation.50
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating Sellafield Ltd will provide an update on future analytical capability plans by December 2025. A further update, including a delivery schedule for the Special Nuclear Material capability, will be provided by June 2026 after the Outline Business Case is completed.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2026 3.2 Future analytical capability is required at Sellafield to test the properties of materials such as nuclear fuels and waste, and Special Nuclear Material (SNM) such as plutonium. Sellafield Ltd will provide an update on future analytical capability plans as alternatives to the Replacement Analytical Project within six months of the publication of this report (December 2025). A further update will be given once the Outline Business Case to provide the SNM capability has been completed (June 2026) which will include a schedule for delivery (and associated confidence level).