UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority signs German plutonium agreement

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) of UK, a non-departmental public body, has signed the ownership transaction with certain German utilities to make plutonium available for AREVA in France.

NDA through a series of title swaps and as a part of commercial deal has owned the plutonium of some German utilities to increase the international nuclear safety and to also earn the financial benefits for UK.

The authority now will not have to physically transport the plutonium from Sellafield to France, where plutonium is used for the manufacturing of mixed oxide fuel used in German reactors.

UK State for Energy Minister Charles Hendry said the agreement reached reduces the need to transport plutonium and the overall amount of plutonium in Europe and therefore improves our security.

"The management of plutonium brings many challenges, but also opportunities to work with our European partners," Hendry added.

"This deal provides a new commercial opportunity for the UK that will bring significant financial benefits."

UK will deal with plutonium for financial rewards that will cover and exceed the long term costs associated with the safety, storage, and management of the chemical element but it will not be added to country’s overall plutonium amount.

The transaction will increase the nuclear safety in Europe; reduce the total amount of separated plutonium in storage, and allow the German nuclear operators to the element into fuel for the reactors.

The arrangements which are subject of commercial agreements between the NDA, German utilities and AREVA have been approved by the Euratom Supply Agency, a common nuclear market in the European Union.