Site Evaluation
What role does Site Evaluation play?
Site Evaluation plays a key role in the journey to a GDF, as its findings inform the Site Suitability Perspective for the Decision Making Framework at the core of the GDF site selection process, which supports NWS’ decision of which community or communities to take forward to deep boreholes investigations.
The Decision Making Framework considers information gathered under three perspectives: Site Suitability Perspective, Willing Community Perspective and GDF Programme Deliverability.
Six Siting Factors
The Site Suitability Perspective is structured around Six Siting Factors
A GDF will be located at a suitable site where NWS can demonstrate that it meets the high standards of safety, security and environmental protection required by the UK’s independent regulators.
Read more about independent regulation in the Regulatory scrutiny and engagement for geological disposal: Annual Report 2023 to 2024 – [GOV.UK].
Why is Site Evaluation necessary?
Studies and investigations based on the Six Siting Factors and 26 Evaluation Considerations are needed to assess how a GDF can be constructed, operated and closed safely and securely.
These studies will provide input to NWS’ evaluation throughout our journey to a GDF
and include the following stages:
- Data collection – gathering the evidence for site suitability
- Assessment and evaluation – using the data collected to consider the potential effects of implementing a GDF at a given area or site
Site Evaluation, along with information gathered and assessed under the other two perspectives, will inform NWS’ decision on the community or communities to take forward to deep borehole investigations and other Site Characterisation works to enable development of our safety case and a potential GDF design. These will last approximately ten years and will then inform NWS’ decision on identifying a suitable site for a GDF. What is the Timescale for the GDF Programme?
Site Evaluation will continue throughout, and we will regularly review and assess information gathered to improve our understanding of what it means to deliver a GDF in the Search Area and deep geology beyond the coast. It is possible too that during this work, we could find reasons why an area isn’t suitable and take it out of the process.
Where are we now?
We are in the early stages of Site Evaluation. Identifying Areas of Focus was an initial step in the process of identifying potentially suitable locations within a Search Area and deep geology beyond the coast.
Areas of Focus will go through further investigative and technical studies such as transport and environmental surveys to inform NWS’ decision on which community or communities to take forward to deep borehole investigations.
There will be a range of desktop studies and on-the-ground surveys, as well as engagement with landowners, to collectively ensure we fully understand the potential of an area to host a GDF.
Identifying Areas of Focus does not necessarily mean a GDF will be sited there – the Managing Radioactive Substances and Nuclear Decommissioning: UK policy framework requires both a suitable site and a willing community.
Learn more about the GDF Siting Process
