Forsmark is home to one of the world’s first repositories for spent nuclear fuel.
Sweden is one of the leading countries when it comes to nuclear waste management and SKB has developed a process for safely storing radioactive waste.
Machinery is on site digging gravel and groundwork has begun on site to prepare for bridge construction. The site is right next door to the Forsmark power plant which should mean logistics are more straight-forward.
The area is 24 hectares; however, the impressive part if what will be 500-metres deep underground; more than 400 hectares that will include 60km of tunnels.
Sweden has 12 commercial reactors in total with 6 still in operation and this will be home to all of their high-level waste.
Excavation work will be completed in stages up until the 2080’s and the first deposited waste will be within the 2030’s.
“While we have been waiting for a decision, we have continued to work on technology development and optimisation,” says SKB’s CEO Stefan Engdahl. We have been able to do what we have been doing for 40 years – research and develop the solutions needed to fulfil our mission: to manage and dispose of operational waste, demolition waste and spent nuclear fuel from our owners.”
Picture: SKB