Abstract: In March 2011 Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB) submitted license applications according to the Act on Nuclear Activities and the Environmental Code for a final repository for the spent nuclear fuel produced in Sweden at Forsmark. The repository will be constructed according to the KBS-3 method. For a nuclear waste repository there are strict safety requirements over very long times and the function of the repository rests on the combined effect of the site conditions and the Engineered Barriers. Siting and designing the repository thus require a tight interaction between site characterization, underground design and safety assessment.
INTRODUCTION Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB) has performed comprehensive investigations of two candidate sites for a final repository for Sweden's spent nuclear fuel; in Forsmark (municipality of Östhammar) and in Laxemar (municipality of Oskars-hamn). In March 2011 SKB submitted license applications according to the Act on Nuclear Activities and the Environmental Code for a final repository at Forsmark. A comprehensive licensing review is currently undertaken by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and the Environmental Court. Construction of the repository cannot begin until the necessary licenses have been granted which is expected to occur four to five years into the future. The repository will be constructed according to the KBS-3 method. i.e. where copper canisters with a cast iron insert containing spent nuclear fuel are surrounded by bentonite clay and deposited at approximately 500 m depth in saturated granitic rock. The purpose of the KBS-3 repository is to isolate the nuclear waste from man and the environment by containing the waste for very long times. The license applications include comprehensive documentation to support that a KBS-3 repository at Forsmark will meet requirements in laws and regulations, including a full evaluation of long term safety (SKB 2011).