Nuclear cooperation formalised

The initial cooperation agreement between Sellafield and TEPCO FDEC has now been formally ratified with full signing taking place on Monday 29 September. The agreement enables the transfer of knowledge and experience between TEPCO, who are charged with decontaminating the Fukushima plant that was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and Sellafield Ltd, the Nuclear Management Partners’ owned company that is responsible for cleaning up the Europe’s most complex nuclear site, in Cumbria.

It will provide improved visibility of the skills available from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the Sellafield Ltd supply chain, and provide access for the UK to advancements made at Fukushima over the coming years.

Sellafield Ltd Managing Director Tony Price reinforced the significance of the agreement. He said: “We are delighted that the Cooperation Agreement has been signed. It is very important that we are able to share the great work being carried out at Sellafield by our own staff and the wide range of businesses that are integral to the progress we are making. It is also very important that we have the opportunity to learn new skills, techniques and methods that are being developed by TEPCO during their work at Fukushima”

“Since May we have already hosted a number of visits to Sellafield by TEPCO colleagues and provided enhanced visibility for local suppliers. Some of these discussions have led to improvements in laboratory analysis techniques by TEPCO and to SL gaining fresh insights in both project management and design engineering techniques.”