1976 – The KBS Project
This is the research project that served as the foundation for our operations. KBS stands for KärnBränsleSäkerhet (Nuclear Fuel Safety).
1977 – The Stripa Project
The Stripa Project was the first major international project on nuclear waste disposal. Its underground laboratories were housed in an abandoned mine in Bergslagen, Sweden, between 1977 and 1992.
1982 – M/S Sigyn
Sweden's nuclear power plants are all located along the coast and have their own ports. Our specially built vessel, m/s Sigyn, transports waste from the nuclear power plants to our facilities: the interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Clab) and the final repository for radioactive shortlived waste (SFR).
1983 – KBS 3 Report published
This report showed that direct disposal is a viable method and that the geological conditions for a safe repository can be found in Sweden.
Thus reprocessing was no longer required in order to operate a nuclear reactor. The Swedish government supported this report.
1985 – Interim Storage Facility for spent
nuclear fuel
Start of operations at our interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Clab). This facility is located on the Simpevarp Peninsula near the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant. The interim storage requires monitoring to be safe.
1988 – Final Repository for operational waste
Start of operations for our final repository for shortlived waste (SFR). It is located near Forsmark and receives low- and intermediate-level waste.
1992 – Preliminary Studies
We performed pre-studies in eight municipalities between 1992 and 2001.
The aim was to assess whether or not the there were prerequisites for further siting studies for a final repository for spent nuclear fuel. The first study was carried out in Storuman.
1995 – Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory
Inauguration of the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, our globally unique facility for research on geological storage. This is where testing is being done for the construction of the Spent fuel repository. The rock laboratory is near the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant.
1998 – Canister Laboratory
Inauguration of our canister laboratory in Oskarshamn, which is the centre of encapsulation technology development.
2002 – Site investigations commenced
In the spring of 2002 we commenced site investigations in Forsmark (Östhammar Municipality) and Simpevarp/Laxemar (Oskarshamn Municipality).
2006 – Application for encapsulation facility
An application for a permit in accordance with the Swedish Act on Nuclear Activities to build an encapsulation facility next to the interim storage facility was submitted in November 2006.
2007 – Site investigations concluded
We are currently concluding the extensive work to compile and analyze all the siting data that has been collected.
2009 – Site selection for the Spent fuel repository
The choice of a site for the final repository of spent nuclear fuel was between Forsmark in Östhammar Municipality and Laxemar in Oskarshamn municipality. Forsmark was selected in June. Ultimately it is the Swedish government that will decide where the Spent fuel repository is to be built.
2011 – Application final repository
March 16 we applied for the permits needed for the final repository in accordance with the Swedish Act on Nuclear Activities. We will simultaneously applied for permits for the interim storage facility, the encapsulation facility and the final repository in accordance with the Swedish Environmental Code.