Sweden has started building a groundbreaking final repository for spent nuclear fuel, only the second of its kind in the world. Located 150 kilometers north of Stockholm at Forsmark, this facility will house 12,000 tons of radioactive waste, encased in corrosion-resistant copper capsules and buried 500 meters underground in ancient bedrock. Designed to store nuclear waste safely for 100,000 years, the project represents a critical advancement in addressing one of the nuclear industry’s longest-standing challenges.
The Forsmark repository, scheduled to take its first waste in the late 2030s, will cost around $1.08 billion, funded by Sweden’s nuclear industry. While hailed as a crucial step for nuclear safety and climate transition, concerns persist. An appeal from environmental groups has called for further studies, citing potential risks of capsule corrosion. Despite these challenges, the project is a beacon for sustainable nuclear waste management, as Sweden plans to expand its reactor fleet to support its transition away from fossil fuels.