Managing waste

RWE npower is committed to managing nuclear waste safely, securely and to the highest standards. We – and the wider nuclear industry – have considerable experience of successfully managing the by-products of nuclear generation. We will be working with all relevant authorities and local communities to ensure we remain transparent and let people know what is happening at all times.

The Government has clearly stated that all investors in new nuclear power stations will need to fund, develop and build them – including meeting the full costs of decommissioning and each operator's full share of waste management costs.

The UK has a strong, robust and independent nuclear regime which will play a key role in helping ensure the secure final disposal of any remaining waste arising from the new generation of UK nuclear power stations.

RWE has more than 40 years of first-hand experience in decommissioning nuclear power stations and treating and storing waste. We understand the technology involved and are clear on the need for significant investment.

The UK nuclear energy industry creates low, intermediate and high level waste.

The Government’s current thoughts are to see spent fuel and intermediate level waste stored on site for the life of the station and through decommissioning before final disposal in a permanent geological facility. Whatever the final decision, we need to plan for this and to put provision for the safe and effective storage of waste at the heart of any new nuclear power station.

The new generation of nuclear power stations will be designed specifically to manage waste. This is the best way of ensuring any waste is secure and properly managed.

The Government is currently exploring and consulting on the potential for a geological disposal facility in the UK, whereby waste is isolated deep inside a suitable rock formation to ensure that no significant quantities of radioactivity ever reach the surface environment. More information about what the Government is doing about radioactive waste can be found on the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) website.