Journey to a GDF

A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) is a facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste in highly engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground. The GDF programme requires Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to find both a suitable site and a willing community and is still in the early stages.

GDFs are internationally recognised by governments, technical experts and scientists as the best solution for the safe, permanent disposal of our most radioactive waste.

NWS is the developer of a GDF and, as part of its process to evaluate the three Community Partnership Search Areas in Mid Copeland and South Copeland in Cumbria and Theddlethorpe, in Lincolnshire, will gather data to understand if an area could be suitable to host a GDF.

“We are acquiring a significant amount of data through our studies and investigations. All of it needs to be assessed and analysed.

“Once we have a clear picture of the findings, we will share progress and updates with the Community Partnerships and the public.”
— Simon Hughes, NWS Siting and Communities Director

NWS will evaluate each potential site, through its site evaluation process, to establish its suitability based on six siting factors: safety and security, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport, and value for money.

Detailed studies and investigations will be conducted over a number of years to help ensure a GDF can be constructed, operated, and closed safely and securely.