The Submarine Dismantling Project (formerly ISOLUS – Interim Storage of Laid-Up Submarines), was established in 2000 following a study by the MOD, which concluded that the radioactive waste from the submarines should be stored on land. It is a long-term project, extending for 60 years, from the development of a solution to the eventual decommissioning of facilities when they are no longer required.
The project contributes to the delivery of the MOD’s wider Nuclear Liabilities Management Strategy and is required to dismantle 27 nuclear submarines:
- In a safe, secure and sustainable manner;
- Cost effectively;
- By 2050;
- Without exceeding the current submarine storage capacity;
- Upholding MOD’s reputation as a responsible nuclear operator;
- Storing radioactive waste which is awaiting a disposal route;
- Disposing of all other radioactive, hazardous and non-hazardous waste in accordance with legislation; and
- Minimising impact upon military capability.
The submarines within the scope of the project are shown below, together with their storage location or operational status.
- Stored at Devonport
- Valiant
- Warspite
- Conqueror
- Courageous
- Sovereign[1]
- Splendid[1]
- Spartan[1]
- Superb[1]
- Trafalgar[2]
- Sceptre[2]
- Stored at Rosyth
- Dreadnought
- Churchill
- Swiftsure
- Resolution
- Repulse
- Renown
- Revenge
- Currently in Service
- Turbulent
- Tireless
- Torbay
- Trenchant
- Talent
- Triumph
- Vanguard
- Victorious
- Vigilant
- Vengeance
[1] Awaiting Defuel
[2] Awaiting Defuel and being prepared for afloat storage
The project is currently in its Assessment Phase in which it is seeking to identify and develop the recommended options to for where and how radioactive waste is removed from the submarines and for storing radioactive waste that is awaiting a disposal route.
To do this, we have been undertaking relevant technical, environmental and value-for-money studies that will form the basis of a public consultation and subsequent decisions. This has involved close liaison with other government bodies in particular the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). No major decisions will be taken until we have completed this public consultation and considered the responses.
Other work that is ongoing in the current phase of the project includes:
- Working with regulators (including the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) to understand the likely regulatory requirements for the project
- Early planning for a proposed ‘demonstrator’ that, in the next phase of the project, will dismantle at least one submarine to help us refine the industrial processes and commercial frameworks
- Briefings to key local site stakeholders, including elected representatives, in areas where there are potential candidate sites.
The MOD has an established process of choosing between options for all major projects which is described in more detail in the document ‘SDP – Our Approach to Decision Making’ in the document library (see related pages). SDP differs from many MOD projects because of the additional commitments to public consultation and to demonstrate open and transparent decision making.
Devonport, Rosyth or both sites have been assessed as potential locations where initial submarine dismantling (the activity to remove the radioactive elements of the submarine) could be conducted. The resulting ILW could be stored on sites owned by MOD, industry or the NDA. Similarly, there are a number of different technical approaches to submarine dismantling and interim storage of ILW.
Deciding which locations and approach are most appropriate is not straightforward. It will be a complex decision which must be based firmly on evidence and take account of cost, technical viability and the impact on people and the environment.
The project will therefore:
- follow existing MOD decision making process in as thorough and transparent a way as possible;
- follow established good practice in stakeholder engagement and public consultation; and
- undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
It is important to stress that the option selected at the end of this process will not be decided simply on the basis of cost alone. The selected option must meet the requirements of the project, take account of the views of the public and stakeholders, and deliver value for money to the taxpayer.
Page updated 12 October 2011.