RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

• Development and optimization of the technology for encapsulation and deep disposal
of spent fuel can continue at roughly the planned pace and with the anticipated results.
Unexpected problems at some critical point may lead to delays and revisions.
Collecting, compiling and presenting the supporting material required for the permit
applications is a large-scale and high-priority activity for SKB. The planning of this work
is presented in greater detail in sections A3 and A4. Figure 3 illustrates schematically the
supporting material that needs to be produced for each application and how the material is fed
into the decision process, along with the planned times for submission of the permit applications.
SKB’s timetable is governed by the time required to complete the site investigations and
the site-specific supporting material (facility design, safety assessment, EIS) that is based on
these investigations. With this in mind, it is estimated that the permit application for the deep
repository can be submitted by the end of 2008, while the permit application for the encapsulation
plant is planned to be submitted in mid-2006.
The time required for the ensuing licensing process is governed by several factors:
• The quality of SKB’s supporting material.
• The resources and capacity of the regulatory authorities and the Environmental Court to
process and coordinate the matters.
• The readiness and will of the political bodies to make the final decisions.
Figure 3 reflects what SKB judges to be a reasonable plan and timetable for the licensing
process. The process begins with SKB’s permit application for the encapsulation plant in
mid-2006, and the total estimated time for the process is 4.5 years. Besides a detailed
description of the encapsulation technology, the plant, its safety and environmental impact,
the permit application for the encapsulation plant will also include:
• An account of alternative methods for spent fuel disposal.
• A comprehensive system analysis for encapsulation, transportation and deep disposal.
• An analysis of the long-term safety of encapsulated fuel in a deep repository.
It is assumed that the decision on the encapsulation plant will not be able to be made until some
time (around nine months) after the application for the deep repository has been submitted, at
which point SKB’s choice of site and a complete safety assessment for this site will be available
to all concerned. In SKB’s view, the licensing process for the deep repository should be greatly
EIS
System analysis report
Facility
Canister
Safety
Plan (construction, operation)
Account of alternatives
Site selection
EIS
Revised system analysis report
Facility
Safety
Plan (construction, operation)
Account of alternatives
Permit application encapsulation
Permit application deep repository
Background material
Existing
Additional
Start of
decision process
mid-2006
Decision
encapsulation
late 2008
Decision
deep repository
end of 2010
Figure 3. Permit applications and decision process for the deep repository system.
366 RD&D-Programme 2004