Slutförvar

Slutförvar is the Swedish term for a deep geological repository designed for the final disposal of high‑level radioactive waste, primarily spent nuclear fuel from Sweden’s nuclear reactors. The facility is planned and managed by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) in collaboration with Swedish regulatory authorities, notably the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). The purpose is to isolate radionuclides from the biosphere for very long periods, using multiple safety barriers.

The repository concept envisions placing spent nuclear fuel in copper canisters surrounded by a clay buffer (bentonite) and embedding these units in tunnels within intact bedrock at several hundred meters depth. The system relies on natural and engineered barriers to prevent groundwater movement and limit radionuclide migration. SKB’s design work centers on the KBS-3 concept, which has been studied in vertical and horizontal deposition configurations as part of safety analyses and licensing preparations.

Location and related facilities: The principal site under development for the final repository is Forsmark, in Östhammar Municipality, Uppsala County, on the Baltic coast. Sweden also operates the Central Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel (Clab) near Oskarshamn, which holds spent fuel during interim storage before disposal.

History and status: Development of a final repository began with site investigations and environmental impact assessments in the late 20th century. SKB has progressed through licensing processes and safety analyses, submitting applications for a Forsmark facility and engaging in regulatory reviews. As of the 2020s, no final repository was in operation; the project remained contingent on regulatory decisions, public consultation, and further safety evaluations.

Safety and governance: The program emphasizes long‑term safety, robust engineering barriers, ongoing monitoring, and regulatory oversight to ensure protection of people and the environment over extended timescales. Public discussion has focused on transport, site selection, and long‑term safety assurances.