Wednesday 29 April 2026

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) has published its Environmental Restoration Public Interest Reinvestment report for 2024-25, setting out the breadth of science and technology work being carried out to support the safe and efficient clean-up of the UK’s nuclear sites.

UKNNL’s mission is to enable and deliver nuclear outcomes for government and to support growth of the UK nuclear sector. A core part of delivering that mission is providing practical nuclear research that enables the decommissioning programme, supporting the safe management of the UK’s nuclear legacy — work that protects the environment and creates a cleaner, safer future for generations to come.

As the UK’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, UKNNL reinvests its earnings into research and development that addresses some of the most pressing challenges in nuclear decommissioning — from robotics and AI-assisted remote operations to advanced waste treatment and geological disposal. The report details progress across seven Core Science Themes, alongside strategic research programmes, university collaborations, and investment in facilities, infrastructure and people.

Richard Gibson, Vice President of Legacy Sites at UKNNL, said:
“The work undertaken through UKNNL’s science and technology agenda remains key in addressing some of the biggest challenges faced in clean-up operations of nuclear facilities. This work is funded via the reinvestment of earnings that UKNNL generates through customer-focused projects.”

The work is central to a collaborative effort across the nuclear enterprise.

Robin Ibbotson, Chief Technology Officer at Sellafield Ltd, said:
“The collaboration agreement between Sellafield and UKNNL, held since 2017, has been a significant factor in fostering innovation and investing in people, skills, and the application of science. I am delighted that this collaboration has now been embedded across the NDA group enabling a wider network of experts to come together and work on some of the most important challenges faced in nuclear today.”

Clive Nixon, Group Chief Nuclear Strategy Officer at NDA Group, added:
“What we do really matters — and that’s why effective collaboration between our organisations is not only important, but essential. It’s through collaborating that we deliver real impact, ensuring that the environmental restoration of nuclear sites in the UK is delivered efficiently and effectively, ultimately delivering value for money for the UK taxpayer.”

The 2024-25 report highlights a year of significant delivery — including £38m of capital investment, 52 live projects, and work spanning UKNNL’s sites at Windscale, Central Laboratory, Workington, and Preston. The work directly supports the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and its long-term commitment to responsible stewardship of the UK’s nuclear legacy.

Read the full report by clicking below: