Nuclear Restoration Services

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is a British nuclear decommissioning Site Licence Company (SLC) owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

It is responsible for the decommissioning of several first-generation nuclear power generation and research sites across the UK, and the operation of a hydro-electric plant.

History

NRS was created as part of re-structuring of the NDA Estate, which saw Dounreay join with Magnox Ltd in April 2023.[1][2] In the future, NRS is expecting to assume control of decommissioning of seven Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor sites (AGRs), currently managed by EDF Energy.[1]

Magnox Electric plc

Magnox Ltd

In January 2011, to reduce costs and to help extend best practices across all sites, it was decided to reverse the split with Magnox North and Magnox South recombining as Magnox Ltd.[9] Magnox Ltd was formed in 2011 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), responsible for the safe decommissioning of 12 British nuclear sites.[10] Originally created for the management of Magnox nuclear reactors, it went through various forms of organisation throughout privatisation of the nuclear industry. It was operated by the 'Cavendish Fluor Partnership' from 2014 until the early termination of that contract in 2019, when ownership was transferred to the NDA.[11]

In 2015, the Harwell and Winfrith sites managed by Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRL) were brought under the management of Magnox Ltd.

In 2017, the NDA decided to terminate the contract with Cavendish Fluor Partnership believing a simplified approach would provide a more efficient decommissioning programme. Magnox Ltd became a subsidiary of the NDA on 3 September 2019.[12][13]

In February 2018, the UK parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concluded that the NDA had "dramatically under-estimated" costs and "completely failed" in the procurement and management of the contract, which was one of the highest value contracts let by the government. An independent inquiry into the deal was set up.[13][14]

Operations

Magnox was responsible for the decommissioning of ten Magnox nuclear power stations and two former research facilities in the United Kingdom. The 12 sites were located at Berkeley, Bradwell, Chapelcross, Dungeness A, Hinkley Point A, Hunterston A, Oldbury, Sizewell A, Trawsfynydd, Wylfa, Harwell and Winfrith.[15] All the sites have ceased production.

In addition, as part of the Trawsfynydd unit, Magnox Ltd generated hydro-electric power at Maentwrog power station. The only Magnox power station in the United Kingdom not managed by Magnox Ltd is Calder Hall, which is part of the Sellafield site and is controlled by Sellafield Ltd.

type	Private limited company
industry	Nuclear decommissioning
predecessor	Magnox Ltd Dounreay Site Restoration Limited
foundation	2023 (Magnox Rebrand) 2024 (Legal Company)
location city	Birchwood, Warrington
location country	England
locations	13 nuclear sites
area served	United Kingdom
key people	Rob Fletcher, CEO
owner	Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
divisions	NRS Dounreay
homepage	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/nuclear-restoration-services

Nuclear Restoration Services

History

Magnox Electric plc

Magnox Ltd

Operations

Operations

Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL)

Restructuring

Timeline

Sites

NRS Dounreay

See also

References