The Swedish Government has approved SKB’s application for the final repository for spent nuclear fuel

Today, the Swedish Government approved SKB’s application to build a final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Forsmark in Östhammar Municipality and an encapsulation plant in Oskarshamn.

SKB has researched and developed technology for the final repository for more than 40 years in collaboration with experts from universities, research institutes and higher education institutions in Sweden and abroad, including more than two decades of site selection, consultations and stakeholder dialogue.  SKB submitted the application to the Government to construct a final repository in 2011.  The final repository method was reviewed and assessed by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and the Land and Environment Court.  The host municipalities, Östhammar and Oskarshamn, have also worked with these issues for a long time and have thereby taken considerable national responsibility for ensuring that Sweden has a functioning final repository system in place.

The next step in the licensing process is for the Land and Environment Court to establish conditions for the facilities.  The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority will also decide on permit conditions under the Nuclear Activities Act.  Only when all licences are in place can construction start, after which time, it will take about 10 years to build the spent fuel repository.

SKB’s press release is available at www.skb.com/news/the-government-approves-skbs-final-repository-system/