§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when it is expected that THORP will begin commercial scale reprocessing; and what its expected lifetime will be.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerTHORP is expected to begin commercial reprocessing in late 1992. The lifetime of the plant will be governed by a combination of economic, commercial and operational factors. Experience of other reprocessing plants suggests that THORP can be expected to operate well into the second decade of the 21st century.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to what countries currently send spent fuel to Sellafield for reprocessing; what countries are expected to use THORP; and what countries are currently in negotiations for its use.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerBritish Nuclear Fuels plc currently receives spent magnox fuel from Italy and Japan. Utilities in the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have entered into contracts for reprocessing in THORP. Ongoing negotiations with potential customers are commercially confidential.