Magnox Ltd, currently trading as Nuclear Restoration Services, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), responsible for the safe decommissioning of British nuclear sites. [1] Originally created for the management of Magnox nuclear reactors, it went through various forms of organisation throughout privatisation of the nuclear industry, until coming into NDA ownership in 2019.[2] It rebranded to NRS in October 2023. [3]
The only Magnox power station in the United Kingdom not managed by Magnox Ltd is Calder Hall, which is part of the Sellafield site and is controlled by Sellafield Ltd.
In April 2023, Dounreay also joined Magnox Ltd as part of a simplified operating model for the NDA group.[5]
BNFL created a new subsidiary, Reactor Sites Management Company (RSMC), to manage and operate Magnox Electric on behalf of the NDA. In June 2007, BNFL sold RSMC to the newly formed US company EnergySolutions; and transferred operational and management responsibilities of Magnox sites to the US company.[8]
On 1 October 2008, Magnox Electric was split into two companies based on the locations of the sites.[7][9]Magnox North Ltd became the operator of Chapelcross, Hunterston A, Oldbury, Trawsfynydd and Wylfa. Magnox South Ltdbecame and operator of Berkeley, Bradwell, Dungeness, Hinkley Point A and Sizewell A.[10][11] Both companies continued to be managed by RSMC.
In January 2011, to reduce costs and to help extend best practices across all sites, it was decided to reverse the split with Magnox North and Magnox South recombining as Magnox Ltd.[12]
In 2015, the Harwell and Winfrith sites managed by Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRL) were brought under the management of Magnox Ltd.
In 2017, the NDA decided to terminate the contract with Cavendish Fluor Partnership believing a simplified approach would provide a more efficient decommissioning programme. Magnox Ltd became a subsidiary of the NDA on 3 September 2019.[2][13]
Magnox Ltd Logo, 2011-2023
In February 2018, the UK parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concluded that the NDA had "dramatically under-estimated" costs and "completely failed" in the procurement and management of the contract, which was one of the highest value contracts let by the government. An independent inquiry into the deal was set up.[13][14]
Rebrand as Nuclear Restoration Services
In March 2023, it was announced that CEO Gwen Parry-Jones was to take up a position at Great British Nuclear, with Rob Fletcher appointed as interim CEO of Magnox Ltd.[15] In October 2023, Fletcher was permanently appointed as CEO.[16]
NRS Dounreay
From 31st October 2023, Magnox Ltd began operating under the brand Nuclear Restoration Services, as part of a wider rebrand of government nuclear institutions. As part of this it also absorbed the site at Dounreay as NRS Dounreay. [17]
