Sweden Takes Bold Step Towards Nuclear Waste Management with New Storage Facility

Modern nuclear waste storage facility in Sweden with greenery. Modern nuclear waste storage facility in Sweden with greenery.

Sweden has officially commenced the construction of a long-term storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in Söderviken, near the Forsmark nuclear power plant. This significant development marks Sweden as the second country, following Finland, to establish a permanent solution for highly radioactive waste. The facility is expected to begin receiving nuclear waste by the late 2030s, with full completion anticipated around 2080.

Key Takeaways

  • Sweden’s new facility will store approximately 12,000 tons of nuclear waste at a depth of 500 meters.
  • The spent fuel will be encased in corrosion-resistant copper capsules, designed to last for 100,000 years.
  • The project is estimated to cost around Skr12 billion ($1.08 billion), funded by the nuclear industry.

Overview of the Facility

The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) received the necessary environmental permits to build and operate the repository in October 2024. The facility will cover an area of approximately 24 hectares and will include several buildings and a rock stockpile.

The repository will feature:

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  • 66 kilometers of tunnels
  • 3 to 4 square kilometers of underground space
  • More than 6,000 canisters for spent fuel storage

Safety Measures and Concerns

The spent fuel will be encased in 5-meter-long copper capsules, which will be surrounded by clay and entombed to prevent any potential leakage. However, concerns have been raised by the Swedish NGO MKG regarding the long-term integrity of these capsules. They have called for additional safety assessments, citing research that suggests the possibility of corrosion leading to the release of radioactive elements into groundwater.

Timeline and Future Implications

While the facility is set to start receiving waste by the late 2030s, the completion of the project is projected for around 2080, when the tunnels will be sealed. This timeline may be affected by ongoing appeals and safety assessments.

The Forsmark repository aims to accommodate all waste from Sweden’s current nuclear power plants, but it will not include waste from the ten additional reactors planned for construction by 2045.

Global Context

The challenge of managing radioactive waste has been a pressing issue since the advent of commercial nuclear reactors in the 1950s. Currently, the World Nuclear Association estimates that approximately 300,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel requires disposal worldwide, with most of it stored in cooling ponds near the reactors where it was generated.

Sweden’s initiative represents a crucial step in addressing the global challenge of nuclear waste management, setting a precedent for other nations grappling with similar issues. As the world moves towards more sustainable energy solutions, the safe and effective management of nuclear waste will remain a critical concern for future generations.

Sources

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