General framework conditions governing the decommissioning of nuclear installations in Germany

In discussions in the general public, the decommissioning of nuclear installations time and again is stated to pose intractable technical and financial problems. The paper disproves this statement by explaining the general procedure provided for under the regulatory regime, and the two decommissioning alternatives: total removal of plant after isolation and a safe storage time of at least 30 years, or immediate total removal of plant and restoration of site. Aspects discussed include the treatment and disposal of contaminated or non-radioactive plant components. As to the financial argument, the author presents decommissioning cost data, which for a large nuclear power station of the type of the Biblis reactor would currently amount to approx. DM 450 million; the author explains the mandatory pre-funding scheme which requires power station operators to put aside a given amount for decommissioning, these costs forming part of the electricity generation costs, so that there is no need for the atomic energy law to include financial security provisions for decommissioning. Due to lack of radioactive waste repositories, chances for the alternative 'total removal and site restoration' to become the option of frequent choice are low. (HSCH)