Global nuclear energy produces vast amounts of spent fuel; countries face challenges in permanent storage solutions.
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Globally, nuclear power generated nearly 10 percent of all electricity in 2024, leaving about 430,000 tons of spent fuel, with roughly two-thirds remaining secure. In Europe, about 60,000 tons are stored, but no country has established a functioning deep geological repository for spent fuel; Lithuania plans to establish one in 2068. Lithuania currently stores spent fuel from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in temporary pools, with a maximum storage period of 50 years before it must be placed in a deep geological repository, which VATESI states is the final step for managing spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste. While France has the most spent fuel storage in Europe, it still lacks a deep geological repository, though Sweden is currently attempting to establish one. France utilizes the “Orano La Hague” plant for reprocessing spent fuel, which involves dissolving the fuel and converting uranium and plutonium into materials for MOX fuel, aiming to reduce the need for natural uranium. Bulgaria previously sent spent fuel to Russia for reprocessing and storage, but due to the war in Ukraine, it is now storing nearly 4,500 spent fuel assemblies at the Kozloduj Nuclear Power Plant, with plans to expand dry storage or seek options in other countries like Sweden, France, and Switzerland. Many European nations face challenges in permanently disposing of spent fuel; Spain, despite having seven nuclear power blocks, has not centralized temporary storage due to disputes, and plans to close its reactors between 2027 and 2035. Romania plans to start a new final storage facility in 2028, and the Czech Republic expects its final storage facility to operate by 2050.
