Over the years, DSA has maintained close dialogue with British authorities. The collaboration began in the 1990s when elevated levels of radioactivity were detected along the Norwegian coast due to emissions from Sellafield. In recent years, DSA has engaged in extensive discussions with the British Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on topics of mutual interest, including nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, and waste management.
“Norway has had a longstanding partnership with the United Kingdom regarding nuclear safety. The meetings this week have been informative and productive, addressing shared challenges”, says Tone Bergan, Head of Radiation Safety and Security Department at DSA.
ONR presented its approach and strategy for regulating decommissioning activities and radioactive waste management, sharing their experiences; and together with ONR, DSA was invited on a site visit to Sellafield, which is currently being decommissioned. Sellafield was home to the world’s first civilian nuclear power plant, Calder Hall, which started producing power in 1956 and ceased operation in 2003. It was also the site of the first major nuclear incident when a fire broke out in Windscale Pile 1 in 1957.
While the site previously produced nuclear energy and reprocessed used nuclear fuel, today it primarily focuses on cleanup activities and waste management. DSA received updates on the challenging cleanup efforts and the progress toward establishing new treatment and storage solutions for radioactive waste.
A new collaboration agreement between DSA and ONR has been signed. The agreement will strengthen cooperation on nuclear safety, nuclear waste management, and decommissioning between the two authorities.
“Although the challenges faced by the British are on a different scale than those in Norway, it is still valuable for us to gain insights into their approach to cleanup efforts. We are particularly interested in how they work to reduce risks at the facility,” says Kristin Elise Frogg, Acting Deputy Director at DSA.