nuclear power
Swiss repository plan for nuclear waste at the German border
Switzerland is looking for a nuclear waste repository (symbol image). photo
© picture alliance / dpa
Switzerland is looking for a place for the repository for its nuclear waste. It will be a while before this is finally found. But one thing is already certain: All possible locations are close to the German border.
The Swiss government will announce next Monday where the repository for nuclear waste is to be built. There are three locations to choose from near the German border to the German Hochrhein-Lake Constance region: the areas of Jura Ost, Nördlich Lägern and Zürich Nordost in the cantons of Aargau, Zürich and Thurgau. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy will broadcast the press conference live at 9 a.m.
The National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra) began deep drilling in the three regions in question in 2019 and examined the rock there. The main features of the project should then be specified for the best location from a geological point of view. A planning application is to be submitted in 2024. The government and parliament will decide on the approval in 2029. Opponents can, however, initiate a referendum on this by collecting signatures. “The definitive location decision will probably be made in 2031,” reports Nagra.
According to estimates, there is around 9,300 cubic meters of high-level radioactive waste and around 56,000 cubic meters of low-level and medium-level radioactive waste, around half of which is generated when nuclear power plants are dismantled. In addition, there are around 16,000 cubic meters that accumulate in the fields of medicine, industry and research.
Switzerland has operated nuclear power plants since 1969. One is decommissioned, four are still in operation. They are allowed to run as long as safe operation is guaranteed and should not be replaced.