Mitsui Babcock wins decommissioning contract

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has let the contract for the decommissioning of the first nuclear reactor in Europe to energy engineering firm, Mitsui Babcock. Decommissioning is planned to be completed by Mitsui Babcock’s nuclear decommissioning arm, based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, by December 2004.

GLEEP – the Graphite Low Energy Experimental Pile – first went critical in 1947. The reactor was used to prove the physics for the UK’s nuclear power programme and produced radioisotopes for use as fuel in the country’s firs generation of nuclear power stations. Later, it was used as an international calibration standard for nuclear materials and neutron detectors. After 43 years of operation, GLEEP was shut down in 1990 and in 1994/ 1995, the fuel rods and control rods were removed.

In the final phase of GLEEP’s decommissioning, Mitsui Babcock will completely dismantle and remove the reactor, which will allow the removal of two hangars and other associated buildings, and free the eastern end of the site for new development. Total cost of the decommissioning and other demolition work is around £10million.

Added to site on 10/08/03

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