Lifetime strategy
The current strategy for Decommissioning Sizewell A, like all UK Magnox nuclear sites, is deferred site clearance. This approach allows for total site clearance around 100 years after cessation of generation.
Magnox South will continue to apply knowledge, expertise and experience to accelerate the decommissioning of the site where it is feasible and safe to do so.
The decommissioning programme at Sizewell A
2007-2010 Defuelling and Decommissioning preparations
- Removal of fuel from the Magnox twin reactors and storage ponds - dispatching via secure transport to Sellafield in Cumbria for reprocessing
- Isolation of redundant plant and systems
- Containerisation and storage of existing Intermediate Level Waste
- Processing of solid and wet, Low Level Waste
- Processing, treatment anf final management of existing hazardous conventional waste
2010-2018 Care & Maintenance preparations
- Decontamination, de-planting and demolition of the fuel cooling ponds and flask handling facility
- Removal of asbestos hazard and demolition of the turbine hall and conventional buildings
- Retrieval, processing and packaging of all operational wastes
- Conversion of Reactor Building to house an interim Intermediate Level Waste store
- Reactor Building to be partially de-planted and decontaminated, sealed and placed in a secure state
2018-2102 Care & Maintenance
- Reactor Building - radioactivity allowed to decay naturally
- Radiological, environmental and security monitoring
- Maintenance where necessary including re-cladding of the Reactor Building
- Transportation of all Intermediate Level Waste for permanent disposal in line with UK strategy
2102-2110 Final Site Clearance
- Design, construction and commissioning of a waste management facility
- Reinstatement of site infrastructure
- Decontamination and dismantling of the Intermediate Level Waste processing building and store
- Dismantling and demolition of all remaining buildings on site
- Removal and management of all remaining waste
- Land remediation
- Site delicensed and made available for potential re-use
Sizewell A Lifetime Plan
