Sweden breaks ground on the world's second deep nuclear repository
Sweden has started constructing a nuclear waste repository to store radioactive waste deep underground near the Forsmark nuclear power plant. Holes will be drilled into solid rock, where containers filled with spent nuclear fuel will be placed.
Recently, Sweden commenced building a final facility for the storage of spent nuclear fuel. This construction aims to securely store highly radioactive waste for an extended duration, with scientists estimating up to 100,000 years. The work has already begun in Söderviken, near the Forsmark nuclear power plant in Sweden.
Spent nuclear fuel will be buried deep underground in solid rock
The repository, situated approximately 500 metres underground within solid rock, will be the second such facility worldwide. Burial in stable rock will ensure long-term isolation and safety for the highly radioactive waste. The repository is set in rock that is 1.9 billion years old. The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) reveals that about 12,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel will be stored in the repository.
The nuclear industry has long faced the challenge of safely disposing of waste known for its long-lasting radioactivity, which endures for millennia. Safe storage is crucial as it involves various risks, including harm to human health and contamination of soil, water, and air.
There are already about 330,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel worldwide
The World Nuclear Association estimates that approximately 330,000 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel worldwide require proper disposal. However, most spent fuel is currently stored temporarily in pools at reactors, posing potential long-term risks.
The issue of nuclear waste disposal is likely to intensify with the expansion of nuclear energy as part of the energy transition. Many countries, particularly in Europe, are already planning the construction of new nuclear reactors. Currently, Finland is leading the way in developing a permanent deep geological repository for highly radioactive nuclear waste.
The new landfill will start accepting waste in about 5 years
The Forsmark repository is expected to begin receiving waste in the late 2030s, with construction planned for completion around 2080. The repository will encompass a 60-kilometre network of tunnels, placed deep inside the ancient rock.
Spent nuclear fuel will be housed inside 5-metre copper capsules designed to resist corrosion. Sweden intends to place 6,000 of these containers there. These capsules will then be further secured by embedding them in clay before final burial.
The cost of building the repository will mount up almost to billion pounds
The estimated cost of constructing the Forsmark repository is 12 billion kronor (approximately £880 million). Its long-term nature arises from the complexity and stringent safety requirements for storing nuclear waste. According to project details, approximately 2,300,000 cubic metres of rock will need to be removed. Specialised machinery will be responsible for placing the capsules with spent fuel inside the repository.
The repository will be built in stages. While the capsules with spent fuel are placed in completed tunnels, new tunnels will be excavated concurrently. This process is expected to continue for about 40 years until all spent nuclear fuel has been securely stored. Afterwards, the entire facility will be permanently sealed.
Environmentalists have concerns
The project faces opposition yet is also seen as a significant step towards responsible nuclear waste management. Environmental groups express concerns over the long-term safety of the repository, highlighting potential risks of groundwater contamination. Reuters reports that a Swedish non-governmental organisation has filed a court appeal, demanding additional safety assessments for the Forsmark repository.
Moreover, research conducted by the Royal Institute of Technology suggests potential issues with the corrosion of copper capsules, raising concerns about the possibility of radioactive leaks into groundwater.
