The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will deduct the fine from the fees it pays the AEA to clean up the nuclear plant, which ceased generating in 1994.
The spillage involved dissolved fuel which was in the process of being mixed with cement before being sealed in steel drums for storage. No staff were harmed in the incident although there was some leakage of radioactive material, and that part of the complex is still shut off.
Dounreay has already been mentioned as a possible site for a new-build atomic station after the government recently gave the green light to a new set of power generating reactors in the UK.
