pdf NTB 24-12 Rev.1 RBG Explanatory report(6.18 MB)

To safely dispose of its radioactive waste, Switzerland must decide on the sites for the deep geological repository and the waste encapsulation plant. In accordance with the licensing procedure set out in the Swiss Nuclear Energy Act, this decision is incorporated in a general licence.

Nagra plans to construct the deep geological repository at the Haberstal site in the community of Stadel in Canton Zürich. The site selection is based on extensive geological investigations. These revealed clear differences between the siting regions as well as the greatest safety margins for the proposed site. The encapsulation plant is to be located at the site of the Zwilag interim storage facility in the community of Würenlingen in Canton Aargau. The two respective general licence applications were submitted to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy on 19th November 2024.

A general licence can be granted if the protection of humans and the environment can be ensured at the site. The feasibility of safe disposal in Switzerland was demonstrated several years ago and confirmed by the Federal Council following an official review. Within the framework of the site selection process, "Nördlich Lägern", including the Haberstal, has emerged as the most suitable siting region. The application documentation demonstrates that the deep geological repository and the encapsulation plant can be realised safely at the selected sites and in compliance with spatial planning and environmental legislation.

The explanatory report summarises the most important arguments justifying the siting decision and demonstrating the safety of the deep geological repository (argument report as per pdf ENSI 33/649(1.39 MB) ). The conclusions in the application documentation are based on extensive scientific data, analyses and findings, which are documented in numerous reference reports. The application documentation and these reference reports are openly accessible via a web-based platform. This platform outlines, from the reference reports to the application documentation, how the line of argumentation justifying the safety and site selection was derived.

The explanatory report also explains the most important aspects of the general licence applications and their significance in the licensing procedure up to the realisation of the deep geological repository. It provides initial orientation and serves as a guide for reading and reviewing the application documentation.

The general licences define the basic features of the projects, i.e. the approximate location and dimensions of the most important structures. The legislative authorities have made sure to allow sufficient flexibility for the further development of the project.