Establishing a Radioactive Waste Repository in Estonia

In 2016, Estonian government made a decision to establish a final repository for radioactive waste have to be established. The need for a repository originates from the former nuclear site in Paldiski, where nuclear submarine training center with two reactor compartments were operated. Nuclear fuel was removed from the reactors in 1994, whereas the reactor compartments were partially filled with concrete and surrounded with reinforced concrete sarcophagi. It was the responsibility of Estonia to safely handle all other facilities located on the site – radioactive liquid waste treatment complex, storage facilities, contaminated sewage and ventilation lines and warehouses. Intermediate storage facility for institutional and decommissioning waste was established in 1997 and is in use today. The estimated amount of waste to be disposed of is approximately 3000 m3 LLW and ILW, including waste from decommissioning. The European Union funded project 'Preliminary studies for the decommissioning of the reactor compartments of the former Paldiski military nuclear site and for the establishment of a radioactive waste repository' was implemented in 2014–2015. In the course of the studies, recommendations together with an economic analysis were given for the decommissioning of the reactor compartments and the establishment of a radioactive waste repository. The repository must be established by 2040, after which the decommissioning of the reactor compartments will begin. Generated waste will be conditioned and placed in the repository by 2050. According to the initial plan, site selection for the repository will be finished by 2025. This step will be followed by an application of a construction permit to be obtained in 2027. During the period of 2027-2040, construction of the final repository will take place, ending with an acquisition of a facility operation permit. In the beginning of 2021, two procurements were carried out in order to characterize the existing site, find the most suitable location for the repository and conduct a strategic environmental impact assessment. Several conclusions and lessons to be learned can be derived from the rather short planning stage of the first actions. However, Estonia sees that, by learning from the international practice, thorough planning and systematic approach, the establishment of the repository is achievable. (author)