Switzerland’s deep geological repository is a major cross-generational project. Licences are granted stepwise: prior to applying for a construction licence, Nagra first has to obtain a so-called general licence. As the name suggests, it defines the general framework for the deep geological repository. The Federal Council and Parliament giving the go-ahead represents a fundamental political decision: Switzerland will realise the deep geological repository in the Nördlich Lägern region.
The first cornerstones are laid with the general licence, defining, among other things, the area for the surface facility and the approximate size of the most important structures.
Surface facility at Haberstal
The surface facility for the deep geological repository is to be constructed in the Haberstal area in the community of Stadel. The spatial requirements for the surface facility take into consideration two subareas: the facility perimeter (outlined in red) and the transition strip (green). Together, they form the project perimeter.
The repository structures will be constructed within the 13-hectare facility perimeter. The perimeter defines the maximum extent of the structures, but the exact layout and dimensions will be determined later with the construction licence. Installation areas that are required to operate the construction site are also included in the perimeter.
Sizes of the most important structures
The surface facility includes all buildings. The most important of these are the access structures to the deep geological repository and the provisioning hall, where the packaged waste will be held temporarily before being transported into the repository. More structures will be required during the construction and operation of the repository or for logistical purposes.
The general licence defines the maximum dimensions of the most important structures. However, it is very unlikely that the maximum lengths, widths and heights will be needed throughout, but they provide enough flexibility to allow for the optimum layout of the structures.
Dimensions of the most important structures
| Buildings | Function | Length [m] | Width [m] | Height [m] above ground level | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provisioning hall | Temporary storage of packaged waste before transport to the repository | 40 – 80 | 30 – 50 | 15 – 25 | ||||
| Shaft head facilities or ramp portal | Construction and operation of the deep geological repository including waste emplacement | 60 – 120 | 40 – 90 | 30 – 45 | ||||
| Shaft head facility | Ventilation of the deep geological repository | 30 – 50 | 20 – 40 | 10 – 20 (or 45 if chimney is added) |
Transition strip
The transition strip will consist of a roughly 50-metre-wide strip surrounding the facility perimeter. No buildings will be constructed within this strip. Around half of the strip will be in the forest for security purposes. The forest area will be kept intact, but the canopy height must be managed – as is also the case where power lines cross a forest. This is necessary to prevent falling trees or a forest fire from jeopardising the security of the facility.
The second half of the strip will consist of an open area to ensure the necessary flexibility: as the project progresses, it will allow the facility to be integrated into the landscape, for example by adding cultivated earth banks to reduce visibility. The region has made it clear that successful integration into the landscape is an important issue. Whether and how this will be implemented is still open. Together with the affected stakeholder groups, this issue will be resolved over the next few years.
Encapsulation plant
Construction of the encapsulation plant is foreseen at the Zwilag interim storage facility site in the community of Würenlingen. In this plant, the high-level waste is repackaged from the large transport and storage casks into smaller disposal canisters and prepared for transport to the repository. The size of the plant is planned to be 50 to 70 metres by 90 to 110 metres, with a height of 30 to 50 metres. Again, these dimensions are to be understood as a range, allowing for flexibility to further optimise the encapsulation plant and to benefit from future technological progress.
The plant will also have a facility perimeter, a transition strip and an installation area for the operation of the construction site. The perimeter covers a good 2 hectares. As with the surface facility, the exact positioning and size of the structures will only be determined with the construction licence. The transition strip is just under 1 hectare in size and is located entirely in the forest. The canopy height must also be controlled here so that falling trees or a potential forest fire could not jeopardise the security of the plant.
Nagra will submit two general licence applications to the federal authorities on 19th November 2024, one for the deep geological repository and one for the encapsulation plant. The applications will be thoroughly reviewed by the federal authorities. Ultimately, the federal government will determine the repository areas when granting the general licence and therefore has the final say.
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