Stockholm, 30 January 2022 (TDI): The government of Sweden has approved a single storage facility that will be constructed to save nuclear fuel. This was used by the government which will last them for 100,000 years.
After Finland, #Sweden becomes 2nd country in the 🌍 to approve a deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste.
This technically proven solution can be part of the #ClimateCrisis solution. @IAEAorg to work with Sweden in this important endeavor. https://t.co/I3IWdfS12R pic.twitter.com/ILyqDFWmxS— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) January 28, 2022
Sweden and its nuclear activities background
It was back in the 1950s when nuclear plants were approved and commonly operational around the world. However, humanity was often left in confusion regarding where the waste could be used.
Sweden had started its operations in the 1970s. Its plants since then have produced a total of 8,000 tonnes of nuclear waste. According to International Atomic Energy Agency, it is predicted that there are 370,000 tonnes of nuclear waste around the world today.
According to the Environment Minister of Sweden, Annika Strandhall, it is the present generations’ responsibility to keep this nuclear waste safe. This is because it needs to be safe for the next 100,000 years to come, she described.
She further stated, she believes this presents the country with the opportunity to transition into becoming the world’s first country that is entirely free of fossil fuels.
Purpose of storing nuclear waste
The intention is that the waste will be buried as well as the fuel that will be used by reactors till they shut down. This waste will be buried 2040’s-500 meters within the Earth in the bedrock close to Forsmark Nuclear Plant.
It is estimated following 70 years from these actions, the tunnels will be filled with bentonite clay. Therefore, they are free of water, later on, the facility will be sealed.
The interest of the Swedish government increased due to increasing interest shown by the world. It showed a way to end their dependence on fossil fuels for energy.
In this case, even the European Union is interested in classifying various numbers of their nuclear plants. These have an environmentally friendly and ‘green’ status.
Within 2016, the significant political parties of Sweden agreed that 6 current reactors would continue in operation with an additional 10 reactors. These could be constructed within the preexisting nuclear sites.
However, the expenses associated with these new plants are rather costly. This is because they will only be constructed if the government in the future agrees to provide a generous number of subsidies.
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