Asset Based Decommissioning

UKAEA intends to proceed with a direct award under Schedule 5 (Research and Development) to engage a specialist partner in delivering a pilot focused study on the asset‑based decommissioning of the J3 (FGC), J31 (PDFA), and J5 (RPC) facilities. The engagement is designed to develop and test a commercially driven approach to identifying asset‑recovery value arising from the JET Decommissioning and Repurposing Programme.

This will include establishing practical routes for the safe extraction, refurbishment, resale, or disposal of equipment and infrastructure that no longer holds operational value. Where appropriate, limited physical interventions will be undertaken to validate the technical and commercial viability of the approach in a live operating environment.

A core objective of the pilot is to quantify the extent to which asset recovery can offset decommissioning liabilities, reduce disposal volumes, and improve overall value for money. The activity will generate robust data on cost avoidance, revenue potential, and delivery risk, enabling UKAEA to assess the scalability of an asset‑led commercial strategy within future decommissioning programmes.

Given that the objective is the development and validation of a methodology rather than the execution of decommissioning works the use of the Schedule 5 R&D provision is considered appropriate. This approach enables UKAEA to de‑risk future delivery models, establish market appetite, and inform a more cost‑efficient and value‑maximising procurement strategy for subsequent phases.