New interim storage facility: BASE discusses comments with objectors

Source: EWN GmbH

Public objections in the licensing procedure for the new ESTRAL interim storage facility in Lubmin were discussed. BASE has received the comments made, and will consider them in the licensing procedure.

The public hearing took place on 1 and 2 November 2022 in Greifswald. Present were, among others, representatives of the licensing authority (BASE), the applicant (Entsorgungswerk für Nuklearanlagen GmbH (EWN)), experts, and the objectors. BASE had called for this event to be streamed online - this was opposed by EWN GmbH.

EWN must guarantee safety

One of the questions raised by the objectors was whether there would be a hot cell in the new building, i.e. a shielded area where the high-level radioactive materials could be handled via remote control. The construction of a hot cell would be one way for EWN to prove to BASE the existence of a repair facility to ensure casks can be technically retrofitted if necessary. In Lubmin, EWN GmbH has opted for a different repair option.

Against the background of the war in Ukraine, it was also discussed to what extent such events are considered in the licensing procedure. The protection of the population against crime and terrorism is comprehensively examined as part of the licensing procedure. BASE will only grant a licence for the interim storage facility if the applicant can guarantee the necessary security measures. However, this review does not include attacks by the armed forces of another state using weapons of war. Permanent and comprehensive security can only be provided by final disposal in deep geological strata.

Special infrastructure around Lubmin taken into account

The energy infrastructure at the Lubmin site was also discussed. Within a radius of ten kilometres from the planned new interim storage facility, there are (chemical) plants and facilities where explosive substances are handled. Such facilities include, for example, a base oil storage facility at the industrial port of Lubmin, the Baltic Sea pipelines Nord Stream 1 + 2, and the European gas connection pipeline.

In the scope of the licensing procedure, BASE will consider all adjacent facilities that may have an impact on ESTRAL, for example by way of pressure waves in the event of explosions. The siting of an LNG terminal in Lubmin in the vicinity of the ESTRAL project is a new development and thus not part of any previous assessment.

It is the responsibility of the implementer EWN GmbH to submit to BASE written proof that the interim storage facility can withstand an incident at adjacent facilities, and that the population will be protected in such an event.

Whether BASE will grant a licence to construct the new interim storage facility will depend to a large extent on if and when EWN GmbH will submit the application documents in full, and in the required quality.