A 310-TONNE boiler that left Berkeley power station 18 months ago has been smelted – ending its half century lifespan.

Nearly a year and a half ago Berkeley watched the boiler leave the disused Magnox nuclear power station.

Now the final piece of the metal giant has been smelted at Studsvik’s specialist facility in Sweden.

Magnox Project Manager Simon Bedford said: “This marks the end of a huge hazard reduction project for Berkeley site. Our aim is to reduce risk and cost associated with the Magnox decommissioning programme through innovative approaches and this was no exception.

“By working collaboratively with Studsvik and Low Level Waste Repository, we were able to achieve a very positive outcome recycling around 95% of the boilers back in to the metal market.

“We are always focused on delivering value to the Nuclear Decommissioning Association and the UK taxpayer and this work is an example of how we are leading the way in UK nuclear decommissioning at our sites.”

The project began back in 2011 when Studsvik was appointed the main contractor to LLWR Ltd on behalf of Magnox for the removal, transport and treatment of the first five of fifteen boilers from the Berkeley site.

The preparatory work began late 2011 and first boiler was lifted on March 1, 2012, with all five boilers being off-site and in Sweden by April 6.

Treatment of the boilers began at Studsvik’s facilities in mid-April and the final boiler was treated by the end of the year. Following on from this achievement, in November 2012 Studsvik was awarded the contract for the final 10 boilers at the site.

The final boiler was transported through Berkeley town centre to Sharpness docks on March 15, 2013.

Once at the docks it was loaded onto a barge and taken down the river Severn to Avonmouth and on to a sea-going vessel to Studsvik’s nuclear licensed site in Sweden for treatment.

In September, Studsvik hosted a commemorative event in recognition of the huge success of the Berkeley boilers project.

Key individuals and stakeholders involved in the project were invited to Studsvik’s nuclear licensed site in Sweden to witness the treatment of the last of the 15 boilers that were removed from the Magnox Berkeley site in 2012 and 2013.

During the visit, representatives from Magnox and LLWR were presented with engraved plaques that Studsvik had fabricated from completely free released steel from the recycled Berkeley boilers.

During a tour, the guests were able to witness the last remaining portion of boiler 15 being size reduced and sectioned then shot blasted and eventually being sent to the furnace for the final melt.

Around three per cent of secondary residues from the final boiler are to be returned to Low Level Waste Repository for final disposal early next year.

Low Level Waste Repository Ltd manages and operates the UK's primary facility for the permanent disposal of solid low level radioactive waste.