RD&D-Programme 2004 Programme for research, development and demonstration of methods for the management and disposal of nuclear waste, including social science research

The preceding RD&D-Programme from 2001 was concentrated on research and technology development. Research with a focus on the assessment of long-term safety was emphasized and viewpoints from previous reviews of SR 97 and RD&D-Programme 98 were dealt with in depth. SR 97 was an assessment of the long-term safety of a deep repository for spent nuclear fuel. This RD&D-Programme 2004 focuses its attention on the development of technologies for fabrication and sealing of canisters for final disposal of spent fuel. These technologies are needed for the application for a permit for an encapsulation plant which SKB intends to submit during the coming programme period.<br/>An overall goal for SKB is that the first stage of the deep repository for spent nuclear fuel should be ready for initial operation in 2017. Regular operation should then be able to be commenced in around 2023, before the storage chambers in Clab have become full. Timetables covering such long periods of time naturally involve uncertainties and must be updated periodically, but at the same time they provide an important basis for decisions regarding strategy and priorities for the next few years. In 2002, SKB started a phase with site investigations in Östhammar and Oskarshamn. Investigations of the bedrock are being conducted on sites near the Forsmark plant and the Oskarshamn plant. The goal of the site investigation phase is to obtain the permits that are needed to site and build the deep repository and the encapsulation plant.