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High level radioactive waste final disposal
Last Update: Jan 16, 2025
Safety Regulation for Final Disposal Facilities of High-Level Radioactive Waste
High-level radioactive waste (HLRW) primarily originates from spent nuclear fuel generated by nuclear power plants (NPPs). Currently, this waste is temporarily stored at NPPs. For subsequent treatment, Taiwan, referencing international experiences, has planned to adopt deep geological disposal. This involves placing spent nuclear fuel in stable geological formations several hundred meters underground using a multi-barrier design. The protective layers consist of the waste material itself, containment vessels, engineered barriers, and surrounding rock formations to ensure complete isolation from human living environments.
Global Developments in HLRW Disposal
Progress of the Spent Nuclear Fuel Final Disposal Plan
The Taiwan Power Company's (TPC) "Spent Nuclear Fuel Final Disposal Plan" consists of five stages:
The Nuclear Safety Commission's Commitment to Ensuring Nuclear Safety Oversight
As an independent safety regulatory authority, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) has established the "Regulations on the Final Disposal of High Level Radioactive Waste and Safety Management of the Facilities", clearly stipulating the safety standards for spent nuclear fuel final disposal. Additionally, it has formulated the "Site Selection Guidelines for High Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities" to guide the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and TPC in implementing site selection processes.
In alignment with international trends, the NSC has set stringent safety standards for disposal facilities, ensuring that the annual effective dose to individuals outside the facility due to radiation impact does not exceed 0.25 millisieverts—one-fourth of the annual dose limit for the general public.
To supervise TPC's implementation of the spent nuclear fuel final disposal plan, the NSC requires TPC to diligently follow its planning and comply with international trends. TPC must continuously refine its spent nuclear fuel disposal technologies and capabilities to align Taiwan's HLRW disposal expertise with international standards, thereby achieving the objectives set for each stage of the disposal plan.
High-level radioactive waste (HLRW) primarily originates from spent nuclear fuel generated by nuclear power plants (NPPs). Currently, this waste is temporarily stored at NPPs. For subsequent treatment, Taiwan, referencing international experiences, has planned to adopt deep geological disposal. This involves placing spent nuclear fuel in stable geological formations several hundred meters underground using a multi-barrier design. The protective layers consist of the waste material itself, containment vessels, engineered barriers, and surrounding rock formations to ensure complete isolation from human living environments.
Global Developments in HLRW Disposal
- Finland's Olkiluoto final disposal facility is expected to become the world's first operational HLRW repository, with commissioning started in 2024.
- Sweden's Forsmark final disposal facility was granted a construction license in 2022.
- France's Bure final disposal facility submitted a construction license application in 2023, which is currently under review by the French nuclear safety regulatory authority.
Progress of the Spent Nuclear Fuel Final Disposal Plan
The Taiwan Power Company's (TPC) "Spent Nuclear Fuel Final Disposal Plan" consists of five stages:
- Investigation and evaluation of potential host rock characteristics,
- Selection and approval of candidate sites,
- Detailed site investigation and testing,
- Repository design and safety assessment, and
- Repository construction.
The Nuclear Safety Commission's Commitment to Ensuring Nuclear Safety Oversight
As an independent safety regulatory authority, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) has established the "Regulations on the Final Disposal of High Level Radioactive Waste and Safety Management of the Facilities", clearly stipulating the safety standards for spent nuclear fuel final disposal. Additionally, it has formulated the "Site Selection Guidelines for High Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities" to guide the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and TPC in implementing site selection processes.
In alignment with international trends, the NSC has set stringent safety standards for disposal facilities, ensuring that the annual effective dose to individuals outside the facility due to radiation impact does not exceed 0.25 millisieverts—one-fourth of the annual dose limit for the general public.
To supervise TPC's implementation of the spent nuclear fuel final disposal plan, the NSC requires TPC to diligently follow its planning and comply with international trends. TPC must continuously refine its spent nuclear fuel disposal technologies and capabilities to align Taiwan's HLRW disposal expertise with international standards, thereby achieving the objectives set for each stage of the disposal plan.
