Featuring NDA group companies Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), the programme examined the role rural communities play in supporting and sustaining the nuclear industry.
It was broadcast on Sunday 3 July on BBC2 and can be viewed here: BBC iPlayer - Countryfile - Jersey 1
Countryfile presenter Tom Heap and a production crew, spent time filming at Sellafield site as part of the special feature which considered the UK’s energy needs and the Government’s new energy strategy.
The piece, which was broadcast to around six million viewers, shed light on the nuclear decommissioning industry and explored the topics of waste management and geological disposal.
At Sellafield, Tom Heap spoke to Phil Hallington, Head of Policy for Sellafield Ltd, on spent fuel and waste management issues.
Phil said:
We were delighted to welcome Countryfile to Sellafield to see first-hand how our site supports low carbon energy generation.
We’re proud of the role our workforce plays in keeping the lights on across the UK through spent fuel and waste management services.
It was really pleasing to be able to help the BBC tell this story to a national audience alongside colleagues from EDF Energy and Nuclear Waste Services.
Steve Reece, Head of GDF Siting at NWS, was also interviewed about the purpose and need for a geological disposal facility (GDF) and the community engagement as part of the siting process.
Steve added:
The filming offered a fantastic opportunity to talk about geological disposal in the context of the UK’s wider nuclear programme and covered the full lifecycle from electricity generation to waste disposal.
It was also good to emphasise the commitment to safety as our top priority, and to share this with viewers across the country.
David Peattie, CEO of the NDA said:
The NDA group featuring in BBC’s Countryfile show is a great example of our world-leading expertise being showcased to new audiences.
Our mission is of national importance and it’s fantastic that we can shed light on how we’re dealing with the UK’s nuclear legacy.
The segment also included footage and interviews from the EDF Energy site at Hunterston B, where the crew spent a day filming, taking a closer look at the UK’s current energy production.