West Cumbria, 4 April
Leading experts from around the world convened in West Cumbria this week for a high-profile workshop co-hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and Sellafield Ltd, aimed at sharing cutting-edge advancements in nuclear decommissioning technologies.
Held at Energus and supported by sessions at the RaiCo facility in Whitehaven, the week-long event brought together specialists in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), remote operations, and digitalisation to explore how innovation is transforming the nuclear industry’s approach to dismantling and managing legacy sites.
The workshop provided a platform for open dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of integrating advanced technologies into nuclear decommissioning, with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Claire Cleaver-Jones, who coordinated a special tour of the Sellafield site for NEA delegates, highlighted the importance of global collaboration:
“The NEA brings together countries committed to sharing state-of-the-art knowledge in nuclear energy. We were proud to contribute to this essential dialogue, exchanging best practices that support robotics and remote technologies becoming business-as-usual in the decommissioning mission.”
Robin Ibbotson, Chief Technology Officer at Sellafield Ltd, opened the event, reflecting on the site’s long-standing role in innovation:
“Unlike new build sectors, our challenge is to manage and remediate a complex legacy. That’s why workshops like this are vital — they help us transfer learning, drive efficiency, and foster collaboration across the nuclear lifecycle.”
Ibbotson also pointed to recent milestones achieved by the Sellafield team, including world-firsts in robotics for remediation and engineering, as well as advancements in AI and digital solutions across the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group.
Gabriele Grassi, NEA Deputy Head of the Radioactive Waste Management Division, spoke about the transformative potential of innovation:
“The nuclear back end is a driver of technological advancement. Automation, AI, and digital tools can significantly enhance operational performance while boosting public confidence in the safety and sustainability of nuclear energy.”
Melanie Brownridge, NDA’s Chief Research and Development Officer, underscored the importance of such events in delivering value:
“Integrating robotics and AI is essential for improving taxpayer value and maintaining high safety standards. This workshop showcases the world-class work being done not only at Sellafield but across the entire NDA group.”
The event reinforced the UK’s commitment to innovation-led decommissioning and solidified Cumbria’s position as a hub of global nuclear expertise.
