Progress to dispose of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste highlighted at Energy and Climate Change event
How NWS can help move the clean energy agenda forward was among the topics debated by key players in the sector
The 2025 New Statesman’s Energy and Climate Change Conference (held on 30th April) brought senior politicians and key nuclear sector leaders together to share their views on the UK’s energy systems, and the implications for the future of the UK economy.
Topics debated included energy security, the role of innovation and technology in the clean energy transition and how we can create green jobs and deliver vital economic growth. How the UK can be an international leader in effectively managing radioactive waste was on the agenda.
NWS’ vision to make the UK’s nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner featured on a panel session. Discussions focused on managing waste efficiently, re-using and recycling waste where possible. This work has saved nearly £900m over the past decade. Panellists also discussed the progress being made delivering a Geological Disposal Facility for the UK’s most radioactive waste, with site evaluations underway and communities engaged in the process.
The panel session included Martin Walkingshaw, Chief Operating Officer at Nuclear Waste Services, Ieuan Williams from Great British Nuclear, Libby Peake from Green Alliance and Elliot Chapman-Jones from Liberals and Democrats for Nature and Climate.
The debate covered topics around how sustainable growth in the UK will involve cutting waste and emissions, while more effectively managing those that are produced. How can we make the vision of a clean energy future a reality?
Martin Walkingshaw, Chief Operating Officer, at Nuclear Waste Services said:
“The event was a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the crucial role NWS plays in ensuring that the UK has a low-carbon, environmentally-responsible and economically-sustainable energy future.”
“Our mission is delivering a vital vision – to make nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner, and since our launch in 2022 we’ve made real progress. We have maintained our award-winning safety record at the Low Level Waste Repository in Cumbria, we have continued to make progress on the delivery of a GDF, and we have achieved multi-million-pound savings on waste management.”
“We’re protecting people and the environment today and taking responsibility for future generations. To move forward with the UK’s plans for nuclear new build, it is key that we effectively manage and dispose of our most hazardous radioactive waste and a GDF is internationally recognised as the best solution. “
Jobs and skills was a key topic favoured for discussion at the event, especially in the circular economy sector. Panellists shone a light on the benefits waste management facilities already bring to local economies and the transformative opportunities that a GDF could bring a community through the jobs and skills, and investment.
Ieuan Williams, Head of Stakeholder and Media Relations at Great British Nuclear, was also on the panel speaking about the importance of planning nuclear new build with decommissioning taken into account from the outset.
“New nuclear projects are being designed with decommissioning in mind from the start, and the costs built in from day one.”
He added:
“We know where all of our waste is, and we have an amazing team looking after it.”
“With nuclear power, we’ve got a huge opportunity to decarbonise both the electricity grid and industry. On a broader scale, we’ve recently seen some incredible leaps with nuclear fusion around the world.”
NWS is part of the NDA group, which has a mission to safely, securely and sustainably decommission the UK’s oldest nuclear sites, leaving them ready for their next use.
NWS works alongside NDA group operating companies, Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), to safely manage radioactive waste already created to enable the UK Government’s net zero ambition by preparing to provide a permanent solution for the most hazardous future radioactive waste.
Decommissioning the UK’s nuclear legacy is a complex undertaking and relies on the full range of expertise and skills within the NDA group. The NDA group brings together the best of the UK’s expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
