Decision on increased interim storage for spent nuclear fuel

The Swedish government has decided to allow a capacity increase of the interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, pending a repository for final disposal being constructed and put into operation. “An intermediate decision on interim storage is necessary to safeguard the energy supply in the coming years,” the government said.

The Government has decided to allow a capacity increase of the interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, pending a repository for final disposal being constructed and put into operation. An intermediate decision on interim storage is necessary to safeguard the energy supply in the coming years.

The Government is prioritising and working as swiftly as possible to prepare the decision on the repository. In the Government’s assessment, it will be a matter of months before such a decision can be made. However, the permit process following a government decision will take additional time. Without a valid permit for increased interim storage in place before the end of 2023, Sweden’s electricity generation could be adversely affected. This is why an intermediate decision on interim storage is necessary.

“With this decision to increase the storage capacity, we are taking responsibility for Sweden’s energy supply. Without this decision, we would risk serious consequences for society if essential electricity generation were to halt abruptly,” said Minister for Environment and Climate Per Bolund.

The Government is examining how spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear waste will be disposed of. Such waste is extremely hazardous and must be stored away from people and the environment for up to 100,000 years. As part of the disposal process, capacity at the Clab interim storage facility in Oskarshamn needs to be increased.

“The municipalities of Oskarhamn and Osthammar are assuming a great responsibility and have worked intensively on the issue of disposal. The Government understands their position, but I would like to emphasise that an intermediate decision on increased interim storage does not mean that the preparation of other parts of the question of disposal will cease,” added Minister Bolund.

In the next step, the Government will refer the evaluation of new research on the protective capability of the copper canister in relation to both copper corrosion and the planned cast iron insert to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and the Swedish National Council for Nuclear Waste. In the consultation process, the Government wants these authorities to determine whether the article on copper corrosion and the research to which the article refers provide new information that may be of significance to the Government’s decision on the case.

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