Atom Waste Potential Areas For Final Repository In Thuringia Limited

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Atom Waste: Potential Areas for Final Repository in Thuringia Limited

Summary

After preliminary investigations, the search for a final repository for nuclear waste in Thuringia has been narrowed down to three potential areas. The Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Disposal (BASE) announced the results of the first phase of the site selection process on Tuesday. Accordingly, the areas around Schlotheim (Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis), Großengottern (Thüringenkreis) and Remptendorf (Saale-Orla-Kreis) are still in the running. The search area has thus been reduced from initially 82 to now 31 km². In the next step, the three potential areas will be further examined until the end of 2023.

Detailed Candidate Search

In the first phase, BASE examined 82 areas in Thuringia with a total area of ​​around 2,600 km² for their suitability. The selection criteria included geological and technical aspects as well as safety requirements. The three remaining areas meet the necessary criteria and are now to be examined in more detail.

The next step is to carry out surface-near investigations in the three areas. These include, among other things, drilling, seismic measurements and geological mapping. The aim is to obtain more precise information about the geological conditions and the safety of the potential repository sites. The investigations are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Further Procedure

Based on the results of the surface-near investigations, BASE will then decide which of the three areas is best suited for a final repository. The decision is expected to be made in 2025. The final repository is intended to store highly radioactive waste from German nuclear power plants.

The search for a final repository for nuclear waste is a complex and long-term process. It is important that the site selection is carried out carefully and transparently. The involvement of the public is also essential. Only if the population accepts the final repository can it be built and operated safely.

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