The calculations explode – even more expensive to store the nuclear waste

Radioactive waste is a residual product that contains radioactive material.

Costs for the Swedish nuclear waste have so far landed at SEK 64 billion. It includes the intermediate storage facility in Oskarshamn (CLAB) where all spent nuclear fuel is stored today.

The future costs concern a facility to manufacture copper capsules, transport, final storage for the fuel and for other radioactive waste. Also included is the demolition of all 12 existing reactors and the management of 150,000 cubic meters of radioactive low-level demolition waste and 16,000 cubic meters of high-level waste such as certain internal parts of the reactor.

The costs are calculated by SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel Management, which is owned by the nuclear companies.

Fees for the nuclear waste fund are proposed by the National Debt Office and determined by the government.

The fee varies for each facility and is higher for nuclear power plants that have closed reactors, as the operating reactors must pay increased costs for the waste that has already been produced.

Facility fee today proposal 2024-2026

Forsmark 3.0 4.9 (+63 percent difference)

Oskarshamn 5.6 7.8 (+39 percent difference)

Ring neck 4.5 9.3 (+107 percent difference)

Barsebäck will receive an annual fee of SEK 316 million per year 2024-2026.

The nuclear owners must also deliver collateral for the future charges they have not paid, and to protect against unpredictable costs or price increases. The National Debt Office also wants to increase these to a total of SEK 75 billion.

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