Siting Strategy

Site selection for a future deep repository is governed by the 2002 “Concept of Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management in the Czech Republic” according to which two localities must be selected (a main and a reserve locality) which provide the best geological conditions for the purpose. The “Czech Republic’s Land Use Development Policy” document was approved by the Government in 2008 and is important in terms of the deep repository programme in that it stipulates that the two most suitable localities for deep repository construction be selected by 2015 with the involvement of the communities concerned.

Basic principles regarding the position of local communities in the site selection process

• Geological investigation work and the possible construction of a deep repository must be beneficial for the communities concerned;
• Communities voluntarily participate in the site selection process;
• Communities must be provided with the tools and powers to efficiently support their interests;
• The siting process must be transparent and democratic.

What is happening in the six candidate localities?

The geological research stage has been completed at the six initially selected candidate localities in South Bohemia, Plzeň, Ústí-nad-Labem and Vysočina regions. As a result of the negative attitude of the communities concerned, the Government decided in 2004 to suspend geological survey work until 2009 with the aim of using the recess to improve communications with the communities in the areas concerned. RAWRA has established information centres in a number of communities and the chairmen of the local councils concerned are regularly informed on the progress of the site selection process and are invited to take part in working meetings. It is planned that geological survey work will resume in 2011.

The rock mass at the Skalka locality is currently being investigated as a reserve locality for the construction by ČEZ of a central spent nuclear fuel storage facility. The two final localities will be selected based on the results of geological investigation work.

Former military areas are being considered by RAWRA

In accordance with its plan of activities approved by the Government, RAWRA, in late 2008, commenced the geological research of a number of former military areas. The results of the first stage of the research show that only the Boletice might satisfy the set criteria. The research of former military areas will continue during 2010.

Areas with suitable characteristics for deep geological repository construction

Following geological survey work, future investigation areas possessing suitable properties for deep repository construction have been identified; an area to be used for the construction of repository surface facilities with suitable conditions for the connection of the required technical infrastructure has been determined for each investigation area (sometimes with a number of variants).