A deep geological repository is a nuclear facility in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act. A general licence from the Federal Council and a construction and operating licence from DETEC are required before it can be put into operation.
General licence procedure
The Sectoral Plan for Deep Geological Repositories (SGT) forms the basis for nuclear energy licences for deep geological repositories. The sectoral plan serves in particular as a site selection process to identify suitable sites for a deep geological repository from the white map of Switzerland. However, the location of the deep geological repository itself is not specified in the SGT. From the middle of the third stage – in which the geological siting region is to be secured in terms of spatial planning – a general licence procedure for the selected sites will be carried out in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act. The general licence will settle policy relevant issues. First and foremost, this is the location, but also the approximate location and size of the most important structures and, in the case of a deep geological repository, the maximum capacity. A general licence for a deep geological repository can be granted in particular if the protection of humans and the environment is ensured and the geological suitability of the siting area has been confirmed.
In November 2024, Nagra (National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste) submitted two general licence applications to the federal government: one for the site of the deep geological repository in northern repositories and the surface infrastructure in Haberstal in the commune of Stadel and one for the fuel element packaging facility at the Interim Storage Facility (Zwilag) in Würenlingen. The most important components of this general licence application are the safety and security report and the environmental impact report (EIR). This includes information on the main features of the project, the expected radiation exposure, the storage capacity, the long-term safety of the deep geological repository and compliance with environmental legislation. After submission, the general licence application will be thoroughly reviewed by the federal authorities with regard to safety, spatial planning and the environment. All cantons will then be invited to comment. The application and feedback are then made public, and all interested parties can submit objections to the project. The Federal Council is then expected to decide on the general licence in 2029 (at the same time as stage 3 is completed). This decision must be approved by Parliament and is subject to an optional referendum at federal level. This means that a popular vote can be called for.
Construction and operating licences
The deep geological repository is to be implemented in several stages. If the general licence application is approved, the decision is made in principle. Subsequently, further licences are required to finalise the large-scale project. This includes construction and operating licences. When the documents for the construction licence are prepared, a detailed order and the design of the buildings ready for construction will take place. Nagra's plans envisage that the underground repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste will be built first, followed by the repository for high level radioactive waste. The part of the repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste is to be commissioned from 2050 and the part for high level radioactive waste from 2060.
