SKB’s licensing processes

Following the Government’s decisions, the licensing processes for the final repository system for spent nuclear fuel and for the extension of the final repository for short-lived radioactive waste (SFR) continue.

On 27 January 2022, the Government granted SKB a licence to build a final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Forsmark in Östhammar Municipality and an encapsulation plant in Oskarshamn. Shortly before this, on 22 December 2021, the Government decided to grant a licence to extend the existing final repository for short-lived radioactive waste (SFR) in Forsmark.

Since last summer, there has also been a Government decision on a licence for increased storage in the Clab interim storage facility in Oskarshamn. The storage issue for Clab is being dealt with in a separate process, after the Government decided to detach it from the application for a final repository system for spent nuclear fuel.

Following the Government decisions, the cases have now returned to the Land and Environment Court and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM), which will set detailed conditions for the future operations.

Judgement from the Land and Environment Court

Following the Government’s permissibility decision under the Environmental Code, the Land and Environment Court will impose conditions for the operations. The terms and conditions will be negotiated and then established in a judgement.

In December 2022, SKB received this judgement and an environmental permit from the Land and Environment Court (MMD) for the expansion of the SFR facility. In October 2024, SKB was also granted an environmental permit for the final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Forsmark and the encapsulation plant in Oskarshamn. These rulings enabled the start of above-ground construction work.

Conditions under the Nuclear Activities Act and stepwise review.

Following government decisions, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) issues licensing conditions under the Nuclear Actitivites Act and the Radiation Protection Act. The authority will continue to assess SKB’s compliance with radiation safety requirements through a stepwise review process. This means SKB must submit updated safety assessments prior to construction, trial operation, routine operation, and eventual decommissioning and closure.

In November 2024, SKB received approval from SSM to begin rock excavation work for the SFR expansion. The safety analysis for the the final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Forsmark and the encapsulation plant has been submitted to SSM and is currently under review. Rock excavation work cannot start until approval from SSM comes.

Legislative Changes and Long-Term Responsibility

Amendments to the Nuclear Technology Act in 2020 clarified that the Swedish state assumes responsibility for the final repository once it has been permanently sealed. The legislation also introduced a requirement for a special government permit for the closure of the repository.

Throughout all phases of the facilities’ lifecycle, the authority conducts oversight to ensure both operational radiation safety and long-term safety.

Local planning and permits

For each facility, it is also a requirement that the municipality concerned, Östhammar and Oskarshamn must make decisions on detailed development plans and building permits.