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Start / Start / Spent nuclear fuel repository

Swedish Radiation Safety Authority now reviewing repository licence application

On 16 March 2011, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority received a licence application submitted by SKB (the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company) for construction of a spent nuclear fuel repository to be located in Forsmark, Östhammar Municipality, in addition to an encapsulation facility for spent nuclear fuel in Oskarshamn.  

International team of experts presented preliminary conclusions

At a seminar on Friday 16 December, an international team of experts from the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) presented preliminary conclusions from their review of components of the repository application submitted by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB). Earlier that week, the team of experts posed questions to representatives from SKB. The hearing and the presentation were webcast and will be available on demand.

“We won’t say ‘yes’ until the safety issue has been solved”

The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company, or SKB, has decided to construct a repository for spent nuclear fuel in Östhammar Municipality. However, the residents of Östhammar will decide on whether to accept the repository.

How long will the canisters last?

How long will it take for copper to corrode when it’s placed 500 metres underground in bedrock? This is a question that is debated among researchers. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority is closely monitoring research in this area.

Reviewing the repository

The nuclear power industry needs to manage around 12,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority will conduct a review to ensure that the industry’s proposal for disposal of the spent fuel is sound in terms of nuclear safety and radiation protection. The Swedish Government will decide whether or not the repository will be constructed. Östhammar Municipality may exercise a veto in the matter and could thus say 'no'. 

 

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