Nuclear Waste

The quantity of radioactive waste arising from nuclear power is very small compared to the quantity of waste arising, for instance, from electricity generation from coal. In addition, in the costings of nuclear power, the cost of waste management and disposal is fully taken into account, and contributes only a small proportion of the total. 

Radioactive waste is commonly classified under three headings, depending on its level of radioactivity and the length of time it remains hazardous: low-level waste (LLW), intermediate-level waste (ILW) and high-level waste (HLW).  LLW and ILW arise not only from nuclear power production, but also from many long-established applications of radioactivity in medicine and industry.

Well-accepted arrangements for the management and disposal of LLW and ILW are in place in several countries.  In the case of HLW, the preferred option for its ultimate disposal is to place it in deep geologically-stable rock formations.  In some countries, notably the United States, Finland and Sweden, such facilities are under development.  Pending their completion and licensing, waste is stored safely on the sites of the plants in which it has arisen.

In respect of a future nuclear power plant in Ireland, it is envisaged that the operator of the plant will contract to purchase fuel from an international supplier, to whom the spent fuel will be returned following its removal from the reactor.  It is not therefore envisaged that any fuel manufacture or HWL disposal facilities will need to be established in Ireland.

Countries which have advanced waste programs include:

Sweden
UK
Finland
US