RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

• Investigations and design of a deep repository are being pursued at both of these sites. SKB
will apply for a permit to locate the deep repository on one of these sites at a later stage.
• Both the encapsulation plant and the deep repository require permits under the
Environmental Code and the Nuclear Activities Act. Statutory consultation procedures for
this have been commenced. The coming decision processes are relative well defined.
On this basis, SKB has updated the plans of action for the remainder of the programme. The
main goal is to be able to put the entire system, including the remaining facilities, into operation.
Important interim goals are to obtain the permits needed to establish the encapsulation
plant and the deep repository.
2.1.2 Planning
The overall goal for SKB’s work of managing and disposing of the spent nuclear fuel is that
the encapsulation plant and the first stage of the deep repository should be completed in
2017, see Figure 2-1. A period of initial operation can then be commenced. Between 200 and
400 canisters of spent nuclear fuel will be deposited during this phase. The initial operation
period should also serve as a final test and demonstration of the method.
If evaluation of the initial operation period provides support for a transition to regular operation,
the latter should be able to be commenced in 2023. If regular operation gets started later, the
storage capacity in Clab will not suffice and the facility will have to be expanded. If the last
reactor is taken out of service in around 2025, the last canisters will be able to be deposited in
the deep repository in around 2050. The deposition rate during regular operation will then be
about 160 canisters per year on average. The whole programme can then be concluded in around
2060.
The plan has been revised somewhat compared with the previous RD&D-programme. The
timetable that spans such a long period of time naturally contains many uncertainties. However,
it also comprises a basis for decisions concerning strategies and priorities for the years to come
and is continuously updated as better data becomes available. A prerequisite for the execution of
this deep disposal programme is that it continues to receive the broad support it enjoys today.
The goal for the period up to the end of 2008 is to be able to submit permit applications for the
encapsulation plant and the deep repository, see Figure 2-2. The prerequisites for being able to
realize this goal are:
• Application for a permit to build an encapsulation plant assumes that it is sited adjacent to
Clab. If the Clab siting is rejected as the main alternative, the timetable must be revised.
The second-choice alternative is a siting at Forsmark. However, this assumes that the deep
repository is also located on this site.
• The two site investigations for the deep repository are carried out within the planned
timeframe, i.e. by the middle of 2007. The results of the investigations must also be favourable
enough to warrant an application for a permit to build the deep repository on one of the
sites. If siting at one of these sites is not possible and the programme has to be extended to
additional sites, the timetable will have to be revised.
• Development of the technology for encapsulation and deep disposal continues at the planned
pace and with the anticipated progress. Unexpected problems in some critical point may lead
to delays and revisions.
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