Sweden has been producing electricity from nuclear power since the beginning of the 1970s. A law was soon enacted that stipulated anyone who used nuclear power to produce electricity must also manage and dispose of the waste.
From storage and transportation …
SKB is responsible for a system of facilities used to handle all waste from the Swedish nuclear power plants. These facilities include:
- A central interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Clab) near Oskarshamn.
- A final repository for short-lived radioactive waste (SFR) in Forsmark.
Safe transport of the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants to the storage facilities is an important part of the system.
Transport is by sea using the vessel M/S Sigyn.
… to final disposal ...
An important issue for present and future generations is the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. This issue is associated with both the democratic decision-making process as well as the technology to be used. SKB has been conducting advanced research for thirty years with a focus on the final disposal of all spent nuclear fuel. The method of final disposal that we have chosen is called KBS-3. Research is conducted at two of our facilities in Oskarshamn: The Canister Laboratory and Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory.
... in Forsmark
A siting process was initiated some 20 years ago in order to locate a potential repository for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The investigations involved in this process led to two very good alternatives – Forsmark and Oskarshamn. Subsequent analyses and site investigations resulted in the selection of Forsmark in Östhammar municipality in 2009. In 2010 we will submit applications to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and to the Environmental Court to build the final repository in Forsmark. We expect the latter facility to be ready to accept the first deliveries of spent nucclear fuel by about the year 2023.
Planning for an encapsulation plant
Planning is also in progress for an encapsulation plant adjacent to the Clab interim storage facility in Oskarshamn. This facility will encapsulate spent nuclear fuel before it is transported to the final repository. SKB applied for a permit to build the encapsulation plant in accordance with the Swedish Nuclear Activities Act in November 2006. The intention is for this plant to be commissioned in the same year as the final repository.