Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB), the Swedish radioactive waste management company, has received an environmental permit to begin preparatory work for its final repository for used nuclear fuel in Forsmark and an encapsulation facility in Oskarshamn. The permit, issued by Sweden’s Land and Environment Court, allows SKB to initiate initial groundwork while meeting strict environmental safeguards.
A Decade in the Making
The approval marks the culmination of a rigorous approval process that began in 2011, with a major court hearing in 2017 and the government deeming the activity permissible under Sweden’s Environmental Code in January 2022. The court’s recent decision grants SKB the right to proceed with conditions to ensure environmental protection and sustainable operations.
The repository will store radioactive waste from Sweden’s ongoing nuclear power programme, covering 12 reactors, of which six are currently operational. At a depth of 500 metres, the repository will accommodate around 6000 canisters containing 12,000 tonnes of nuclear waste, ensuring long-term containment for up to 70 years or more, depending on the operational lifespan of existing reactors.
Environmental Safeguards and Preparatory Work
The permit includes comprehensive conditions to minimise environmental impacts. These measures address noise, groundwater management, discharge into water bodies, and protection of local ecosystems and species. SKB CEO Stefan Engdahl emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, noting that protective measures will include:
- Adapting activities to bird nesting periods.
- Relocating protected species.
- Constructing bioreactors to purify nitrogen from process water.
Initial groundwork in Forsmark involves forest clearing, excavation, and construction of rock storage areas and a bridge over a cooling water channel. However, actual tunneling will require additional safety approvals from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM), ensuring stringent oversight under the Act on Nuclear Activities.
Timeline and Global Context
Construction of the Forsmark repository is slated to begin two years before the encapsulation facility in Oskarshamn, with both facilities expected to be operational by the mid-2030s.
This development mirrors similar advancements in Finland, where a geological repository is under construction at Olkiluoto. Finland’s project began in 2016 after receiving a construction licence in 2015. Its operator, Posiva, has applied for an operating licence, aiming for operations to extend through 2070.
Implications for Africa
The Swedish model highlights the value of robust governance, stakeholder collaboration, and environmental management in advancing nuclear waste solutions. As African nations explore or expand nuclear energy programmes, the lessons from Sweden and Finland could inform the design of effective waste management frameworks.
Strategic investments in repositories ensure that nuclear energy remains a sustainable and environmentally sound choice for meeting growing energy demands in Africa. Swedish advancements serve as a blueprint for integrating safety, sustainability, and long-term planning into nuclear infrastructure development.
