The platform’s purpose is to constitute a forum to support Member States in their work to gradually introduce geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel and other long-lived, high-level waste. The platform is intended to lead to better use of existing competence, infrastructure, and research facilities such as underground laboratories, and help to focus research efforts that are relevant to the implementation of final repositories.
The platform is expected to offer support for the countries that have come a long way in their nuclear waste programmes as well as for countries that have only recently begun to work with these issues. Most European countries have legislation in place that requires that they manage their own waste. The platform is not a question of creating prerequisites for a common final repository.
Geological disposal is the first choice for most EU Member States as well as internationally. The reason for this is several decades of research and development work in which international cooperation has been, and will continue to be, an important component.
“It is an honour that SKB has been asked to act as the Secretariat and can thus be a driving force in the creation of this technology platform. It is our hope that it will offer the support needed for more countries to make progress in their national nuclear waste programmes,” says SKB President Claes Thegerström.
Read more about the technology platform for geological disposal of nuclear waste at www.igdtp.eu.
For more information:
Torsten Eng, SKB International Relations Manager, +46 70 221 51 27;
Jessica A Otterstål, Press Officer, +46 70 242 07 27