Sweden breaks ground on world's second deep nuclear repository
Sweden has begun constructing a nuclear waste repository to store radioactive waste deep underground near the Forsmark nuclear power plant. Holes will be drilled into solid rock to accommodate containers filled with spent nuclear fuel.
Recently, Sweden commenced building a final facility for storing spent nuclear fuel. The construction aims to safely contain highly radioactive waste for an extended period, with scientists projecting it will last for 100,000 years. The work is being conducted in Söderviken, near the Forsmark nuclear power plant in Sweden.
Spent nuclear fuel will be buried deep underground in solid rock
The repository, located 1,640 feet underground in solid rock, will be the second such facility worldwide. Burial in stable rock will provide long-term isolation and safety for the highly radioactive waste. The repository will be set in rock that is 1.9 billion years old. The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) reports that about 12,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel will be housed in the repository.
The nuclear industry has long struggled with the challenge of safely disposing of waste known for its persistent radioactivity, which lasts for millennia. Safe storage is crucial to mitigate risks such as harm to human health and contamination of soil, water, and air.
There are already about 330,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel worldwide
The World Nuclear Association estimates that about 330,000 tons 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 in developing a permanent deep geological repository for highly radioactive nuclear waste.
The Forsmark repository is expected to begin receiving waste in the late 2030s, with construction and safety measures expected to be completed by around 2080. The repository will encompass a 37-mile network of tunnels deep within the ancient rock.
The new landfill will start accepting waste in about 5 years
Spent nuclear fuel will be placed inside 16-foot copper capsules designed to resist corrosion. Sweden plans to install 6,000 such containers. These capsules will then be further secured by encasing them in clay before final burial.
The cost of building the repository will exceed a billion dollars
The estimated cost of building the Forsmark repository is 12 billion kronor (approximately 1.08 billion dollars). Its long-term nature stems from the complexity and stringent safety requirements for storing nuclear waste. According to the project's website, about 3,000,000 cubic yards of rock will need to be removed. Specialized machines will be tasked with placing the capsules containing spent fuel inside the repository.
Construction of the repository will occur in stages. While capsules are placed in completed tunnels, new ones will be simultaneously excavated. This process is expected to continue for about 40 years until all spent nuclear fuel is safely stored. Subsequently, the entire facility will be permanently sealed.
Environmentalists have concerns
The project faces opposition but is also regarded as a significant step toward responsible nuclear waste management. Environmental groups express concerns about the long-term safety of the repository, particularly the potential risk of groundwater contamination. Reuters reports that a Swedish non-governmental organization has filed a court appeal, demanding additional safety assessments for the Forsmark repository.
Additionally, 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.
