Friday 17 March 2023

As the UK’s national laboratory for nuclear fission, we are proud to have a close partnership with Sellafield Ltd. We work in collaboration to find innovative solutions through science and technology, making the task of restoring the environment at Sellafield that much easier.

Environmental Restoration is one of NNL’s four focus areas, as well as being our foundation as a laboratory. Through this work we’re helping to leave the planet stronger and more sustainable.

The long-term collaboration agreement we have with Sellafield Ltd has saved the UK taxpayer over £7bn since 2008.  The value generated goes beyond purely financial. Our work also attracts and builds talent, delivers quality science, develops important partnerships, and has real impact.

Each year we report on how we’ve reinvested our earnings to benefit Sellafield Ltd’s mission, of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations. This is something that is part of our own strategic focus on environmental restoration.

This year’s report is now publicly available, providing many great examples of the impact of the work carried out over the last year, some of the highlights include:

• The use of a specially created innovation space, enabling small and medium enterprises to demonstrate their technologies prior to active deployment on Sellafield site

• Enabling a wider range of user access to our unique facilities, from robotics to hot cell work

• Applying techniques developed during a PhD project to directly support facilities on Sellafield site to understand slurry transport. This potentially saves millions from blockages delaying operations

• Developing remotely operated vehicles that have been deployed in highly radioactive environments to carry out inspections and aid the continued operations of aging facilities

NNL’s Vice President of Legacy Sites, Wayne Muckley, said of the collaboration:

“As the UK’s national laboratory for nuclear fission, we are proud to have a close partnership with Sellafield Ltd. We have been working to find innovative solutions through science and technology that make the task of restoring the environment at Sellafield that much easier. Over the past year, our refreshed strategy and Science and Technology Agenda showcases that commitment.”

Robin Ibbotson, Chief Technology Officer at Sellafield Ltd, added:

“Having recently moved into the nuclear sector, it has been great to learn what has already been delivered through collaboration between NNL and Sellafield Ltd. From bringing forward innovative technologies to building the skills and capabilities that we need, it is clear what can be achieved now and in the future.”