Today, Minister of Climate and Environment Annika Strandhäll announced the decision regarding the Swedish Nuclear Waste Management's (SKB) final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Forsmark and for the expansion of the Final Repository for radioactive operational waste at the same site (SFR).
On 22 December, the decision will be made on a permit for SFR and on 27 January, the decision will be made on final repository.
SKB's CEO Johan Dasht welcomes the clear message and believes that it will give the green light.
- We expect a positive decision.
We have been researching this for 40 years and the results have been confirmed by external researchers and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) several times.
The same method we have developed has been approved by the Finnish government.
Therefore, I feel confident that we will receive a positive message, says Johan Dasht.
Strong criticism
The criticism that spoke against the method presented by SKB is directed at the copper canisters that are to enclose the highly radioactive fuel.
Unlike SSM, the Land and Environment Court has previously noted the method on five points.
Corrosion researchers at KTH believe that the unalloyed material does not withstand radiation, can crack and will corrode in a thousand years.
SKB responds to the criticism that they have supplemented the required documentation and that they have closed these issues and that the method has been strengthened by expert authorities.
- There will always be critical parties.
But based on our knowledge, I am confident that our method works, says Johan Dasht.
Next, the company sees a bright future.
- For the first time, we have a clear schedule, which is crucial for planning our work.
In the event of a positive decision, the next phase will mean that questions are sent back to the Land and Environment Court and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.
Then we can start construction, says Johan Dasht.