An important part of the journey towards a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) is identifying potentially suitable sites.
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is currently gathering information to understand if the current Search Areas – in South Copeland and Mid Copeland in Cumbria and Theddlethorpe, in Lincolnshire – could be suitable to host a GDF. A Search Area is the geographical area on land made up of one or more electoral wards, where NWS is considering potential sites.
A GDF is a facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste in highly engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground.
For a location to be suitable, it needs to include the right sub-surface geological environment, deep underground for the disposal area; a surface location; and the ability to connect the two with accessways.
As it’s difficult to carry out some of the more detailed feasibility studies required in large Search Areas, and the adjacent inshore (the area beyond the coast out to a maximum of 22km), NWS identifies smaller ‘Areas of Focus’ in the Search Area, as the next step in the process of finding potentially suitable sites.
This allows focused site evaluation studies and prioritisation of resources to consider the potential for an area to safely host a GDF.
Simon Hughes, NWS’ Siting and Communities Director, said:
“The process we’re following towards identifying Areas of Focus is similar to the approach taken by other large infrastructure projects. Areas of Focus are identified using existing information and help us consider where may have the potential to host project infrastructure.
“This stage isn’t to define an exact site, it’s to help decide which areas we could take forward for more detailed investigations. This would include drilling boreholes to better understand the geology deep below the surface, where the underground part of a GDF would be built.
“Early next year we will publish an update and our teams will be out in communities to explain our findings, hear feedback and consider next steps. A GDF will only be built where there is a willing community and a suitable site.”
A decision on the site(s) to take forward in the process for more detailed investigations would need to be approved by the Secretary of State. Exact locations for borehole drilling would be determined though consultation and environmental assessment work.
Over many years borehole data, together with results from research and development, will be used to build understanding of whether an area could safely host a GDF.
Further permissions and a positive Test of Public Support (ToPS) would also be required for development of a GDF. These permissions will include consultation and environmental assessment studies to help develop and refine NWS’ preferred GDF site location and boundary.
The whole process to identify a preferred site is expected to take 10-15 years, while constructing, operating and closing the facility would take 150 years or more.
For more information see the below animation from NWS and visit its new website.