Waste arising from power generation in Magnox reactors

Abstract

This paper discusses the quantities of intermediate and low level radioactive wastes arising directly from the generation of electricity in Magnox nuclear power stations. The wastes arising from fuel reprocessing are outside the scope of this paper. The paper shows that most of the waste volumes arise from the eventual decommissioning of the power stations, and that these volumes are independent of the operating lifetimes of the reactors. The waste volume values published in the most recent National Inventory of Radioactive Wastes are based on average lifetimes of 36 years for the currently operating reactors. Increasing the average lifetimes by 25%, to 45 years, would result in an increase in the total volume of intermediate and low level wastes of approximately 3%. The paper concludes that considerations about the volume of waste arising are not a significant factor in decisions affecting the future operation of Magnox reactors.