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Centre of excellence for non-proliferation and safeguards announced
20 August 2024
On August 19, Urenco welcomed representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the three Troika governments of the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, and the United States of America at an event to mark the development of the Centre of Excellence for Safeguards and Non-Proliferation at its Capenhurst site in the UK.
The centre, which is a Urenco facility, will establish a nuclear non-proliferation testing and training base for the benefit of IAEA safeguards and the international non-proliferation system. This will enable the development and testing of nuclear verification technologies, as well as the training of practitioners.
The project, which is the only facility of its kind globally, is a collaboration between the aforementioned parties, and sees the repurposing of a decommissioned plant brought back into active service for this unique safeguarding purpose. During the event, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
The centre will help the IAEA enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards implementation at gas centrifuge enrichment facilities. This is a sensitive stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, and the complex technology presents challenges for effective verification. IAEA safeguards are an essential component of the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and the centre will support the IAEA in its efforts to independently verify the peaceful use of such facilities.
Chief Executive Officer of Urenco, Boris Schucht, said: “We are very proud to be able to contribute and collaborate with this international community to help grow expertise in nuclear safeguards by building a dedicated facility at our UK site. We will continue to use our expertise and technologies to support non-proliferation and the safeguarding of civil nuclear operations.”
Director General Grossi said: “Staying ahead of technology advances is a crucial part of the IAEA’s work as the world’s nuclear watchdog. The Centre of Excellence for Safeguards and Non-Proliferation at Capenhurst will strengthen IAEA safeguards inspectors’ training and enhance the research and development of safeguards equipment and techniques.”
He added that the centre was a result of determined international collaboration. “I would like to commend the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the executive team at Urenco for their understanding of the always-evolving demands of safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation, and their leadership in turning this facility from an idea into a valuable hands-on tool in the pursuit of international peace and security.”
The Centre of Excellence will be fully operational in 2025.
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services; operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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