547
Construction has begun on a unique deep repository for spent nuclear fuel in Söderviken, near the Forsmark nuclear power plant in Sweden. Located 500 meters deep in 1,9 billion-year-old rock, the repository will provide safe storage for radioactive waste for 100 years.
Technology and project scope
The repository is expected to house more than 6000 copper capsules, each 5 meters long and specially designed to protect against corrosion. The canisters will be additionally insulated with clay, which minimizes the risk of radioactive leaks. The construction will include a 60-kilometer network of tunnels, in which excavation and filling with spent fuel will be carried out simultaneously.
The total volume of extracted rock will be about 2,3 million cubic meters, and the entire process will be completed by 2080. Specially designed remote-controlled machines will ensure accuracy and safety when placing containers.
The context of global nuclear waste management
The problem of nuclear waste disposal remains relevant for many countries, especially in connection with the growing use of nuclear energy as an environmentally friendly source of energy. Currently, the world has accumulated more than 300 thousand tons of spent nuclear fuel, which is usually stored in temporary storage facilities near reactors. Sweden and Finland are pioneers in the creation of permanent geological repositories, which should provide long-term isolation of radioactive waste.
Although the Forsmark project is seen as an important step in the responsible management of nuclear waste, it has faced opposition. Environmental groups have raised concerns about possible risks, including groundwater contamination from potential corrosion of the copper capsules. Swedish NGOs have already filed appeals in court demanding additional research.
Financing and prospects
The project is estimated to cost 12 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $1,08 billion). The repository is expected to begin accepting waste in the late 2030s. The project highlights the growing importance of long-term nuclear waste management in light of the global transition to sustainable energy.
Sweden is building a 100-year nuclear waste repository appeared first on Curiosity.
