As Magnox Electric Ltd, we are the main management and operations contractor, responsible for managing the decommissioning programme on the Bradwell Site on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. 

Decommissioning challenge

The decommissioning strategy is to accelerate hazard reduction and to deliver safe, predictable, cost-effective clean-up of the site. The site comprises two reactor buildings, fuel cooling ponds, an operational waste storage facility, radioactive effluent treatment plant, turbine hall, cooling water pumphouse (removed in 2006) and workshops, stores and offices.

With defuelling complete and major decommissioning works commencing, Bradwell is progressing towards passivity and the care and maintenance phase of its lifecycle. Key elements of the decommissioning plan include the scheduled removal and transfer of fuel from the reactors to Sellafield (completed 2006), the systematic and progressive reduction of the level of hazard, including the dismantling of facilities as they become redundant and the construction of purpose-built facilities for the retrieval, processing, packaging and storage of operational wastes. Integral to the overall plan is the reorganisation of the site structure to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose and cost-effective and the provision of stakeholder support, site safety, security and infrastructure to effectively achieve the decommissioning programme.

Delivering value

The decommissioning programme, covering the two reactors and all related facilities, is progressing well. 

Key highlights

• Accelerated deplanting of the Cooling Water Pumphouse – completed in March 2007
• Defuelling completed 3 months ahead of its March 2006 target date and confirmation received from the regulators – enabling a move to a Category 4 site and an official decommissioning organisation structure.
• At the same time as defuelling, some 1200m3 of asbestos was removed from the turbine hall and deposited to licensed land fill sites - a project completed three months ahead of programme with 135,000 man hours worked without a lost time accident
• New site boiler commissioned
• Successfully maintained certification to ISO 14001
• Successfully maintained Level 7 in IERS
• No discharges either radiological or non-radiological were outside statutory reportable limits
• Significant Environmental Aspects Register has been made available on the Bradwell Intranet
• Consent to Decommission under EIAD (1999) Regulations achieved in December 2003

Environmental Management Plan as a condition of the Consent to Decommission was produced in March 2004

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