STORY
A recent study has revealed that Scotland’s £25 billion nuclear decommissioning programme could deliver significant long-term economic and social benefits at both national and local levels over the next 90 years and beyond. The research, conducted by the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) in collaboration with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), indicates that the decommissioning process could lead to substantial gains in employment, skills development, household income, and consumption. These findings offer a positive outlook for communities impacted by the decommissioning process.
Dounreay, one of the UK’s key nuclear decommissioning sites, plays a crucial role in the NDA’s long-term efforts to safely decommission early nuclear facilities. Established in the 1950s, Dounreay has been a stable employer; however, the decommissioning process brings uncertainty for the surrounding communities about the future.
Interviews with residents and stakeholders in Caithness and North Sutherland, areas directly impacted by decommissioning at Dounreay, revealed concerns compounded by under-investment in essential infrastructure, rural depopulation, and remoteness. Nevertheless, the presence of a skilled workforce and increased interest in the region’s renewable energy resources suggest that decommissioning can drive future skills development and economic diversification.
Heather Barton, Cross Industry Learning Manager at the NDA, commented:
“It has been great to engage with another area of the University of Aberdeen, the Just Transition Lab, through our partnership with the NDC. A real strength of working with the NDC is that there are numerous areas where we can collaborate to achieve our goals of decommissioning the UK’s nuclear sites safely, securely, sustainably, and cost-effectively. This study will help inform politicians and policymakers on key economic development opportunities and enable discussions around support for communities, including skills and training.”
The study has also contributed to the formation of a cross-party committee on nuclear decommissioning in the Scottish Parliament, aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the decommissioning process.