HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc484-5W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the latest expected cost of the THORP reprocessing plant at Sellafield in 1989–90 prices; and whether this capital sum is inclusive of the costs of waste effluent discharge plant, and any other ancillary constructions that arise as a consequence of building the THORP plant;

(2) what is the capital cost of planned investment in reprocessing and waste management at Sellafield other than that which is required for the THORP plant.

Mr. Baldry

The expected capital cost of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield is some £1.8 billion making due allowance for future inflation. This capital cost includes the receipt and storage facility and an appropriate share of the facilities for converting highly active wastes into vitrified form. The other facilities used in association with THORP include storage ponds that have already been constructed, and facilities for the treatment of less active wastes and effluents. The capital costs of these supporting facilities are estimated at some £0.9 billion.