UK plans global first in recycling nuclear fusion reactor

OXFORDSHIRE, March 1, 2024 – A team in the UK plans to achieve a global first by recycling a nuclear fusion reactor, New Scientist reported on Friday.

The JET nuclear fusion reactor in Oxfordshire, UK, began operations in 1983 and has now reached the end of its life. It is the world’s largest tokamak-style reactor and is described as containing around GBP 1 billion in equipment.

Components of the reactor such as heating systems and vacuum chambers will be stripped and sent for use in other fusion projects.

After decommissioning, the remaining radioactive waste will be stored in “just two or three containers each around the size of a small car,” according to the report.

Nuclear energy makes up around 15% of the UK’s power generation mix. The country has nine operational nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of around 6 GW.

The government plans to add around 24 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2050, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Photo courtesy of EUROfusion via the UK Atomic Energy Authority.