The Four World Leading Deep Geological Repository Projects: A Synthetic Description of the High-Level Waste Long-Term Management Facilities Programed in Finland, Sweden, France and Switzerland and an Overview of the Deep Geological Repository Site Selection Methodology

Pascal Claude LEVERD

Institute for Korea Spent Nuclear Fuel, 111, Daedeok-daero 989beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34057, Republic of Korea

Received 2024-07-03 ; Revised 2024-08-12 ; Approved 2024-11-11

Abstract

Deep geological repositories (DGR) count amongst the world largest environmental protection projects. They are the internationally advocated reference solution for the long-term management of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Many countries have engaged in programs to develop their own DGR, however, only four European countries have passed the important milestone of choosing or announcing the appropriate site for the location of their HLW disposal facilities. Finland has almost finished the commissioning of its DGR and should start industrial disposal operations in 2025. Sweden has authorized the construction of its DGR and is finalizing the licensing document to start construction. France is reviewing the construction license application of its DGR. Switzerland has proposed the location of its DGR and is carrying out the production of the documentation for the license application. These four countries took decades to choose the location for their DGR. The length of this process is explained by 1) the amount of technical investigations and studies that were carried out to first identify, select and then fully characterize the suitable site and 2) the progressive decision-making process defined by their respective legal frameworks, including the participation and engagement of communities and stakeholders.

Key Words : High-level radioactive waste, Spent nuclear Fuel, Deep geological disposal, Underground research laboratories, Long-term environmental protection, Repository siting methodology