Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in line to take on Vulcan decommissioning role at Dounreay site
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is being primed to take charge of the clean-ups of the far north's two redundant nuclear sites.
The NDA has for the past year run the one-time civil fast reactor complex at Dounreay after winding up the contract of a private consortium.
Now it is in the frame to take over the management of the decontamination and dismantling of the neighbouring long-time nuclear submarine support base at Vulcan.
That follows a dramatic rethink by the Ministry of Defence which had been been in the throes of putting the work out to tender.
Commander Ian Walker, who heads the small Royal Navy presence at Vulcan, confirmed the about-turn at Wednesday's meeting of Dounreay Stakeholder Group (DSG).
Cmdr Walker said: "We have identified that the previously discounted option of the transfer of responsibility for the decommissioning of Vulcan from the MoD to NDA is now a credible option and is worthy of reassessment.
"That has been agreed by the NDA and MoD but I'd stress that no decision has been taken at this time.
"There's still a significant amount of work to undertake to see if this option is deliverable."
Cmdr Walker said if the move is agreed, it could not take place before the stockpile of fuel used in Vulcan's reactor is removed from the site. That is on target to be completed in 2025.
The announcement was welcomed as a "step in the right direction" by DSG chairman Struan Mackie.
He said: "We have long believed that the NDA is the most appropriate vehicle to decommission the Vulcan site.
"It seems to be the most logical option and it's good that it's now on the table.
"I welcome the fact that there's a recognition of the clear and obvious joint working and crossover between the sites over the years.
Mr Mackie believed having the NDA running Vulcan would also maximise the socio-economic spin-offs for the far north.
He added that the experience of Dounreay being run by a private consortium had not been good.
He said: "I think most people in the community thought that it had been an unmitigated disaster."
At the same time, he said nobody should be under any illusions about the complexities of linking two sites which operate under separate regulatory and licensing systems.
DSG vice-chairman, trades union veteran David Alexander also supported the development. "Common sense has prevailed," he said.
DSG is to set up a new sub-group to channel its feedback to the MoD as it progresses with the preparations for Vulcan's clean-up.
The tender process for a 10-year contract has been suspended while the option of going with the NDA is put to UK ministers.
The MoD recently announced the start to the clean-up of Vulcan had been put back until January 2026.
It also extended its contract with Rolls Royce for the running of the site until the end of 2025. The firm employs more than 200 people there.
Vulcan played a key role in supporting the UK nuclear submarine fleet for more than 50 years until its pressurised water reactor was shut down in 2015.
