United Kingdom

The UK operates 19 reactors that contribute around 15 percent to total electricity production.

Radioactive waste is stored at the surface at the Sellafield site and there are also decentralised storage facilities at around 30 sites.

Low- and intermediate-level waste has been disposed of in near-surface facilities at Dounreay since 1957 and at Drigg since 1959.

High-level waste and spent fuel will be disposed of in geological repositories. The waste management strategy was defined by the government in 2008 and the site selection process is currently underway.

Further information:
 

www.corwm.org.uk (Committee on Radioactive Waste Management)
www.nda.gov.uk (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority)
www.uk-atomic-energy.org.uk (United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority)

Photographs available at e.g. www.sellafieldsites.com.