Blasting starts on the SFR extension in Forsmark

Work to extend SFR, the final repository for short-lived radioactive waste, began today with a blast 45 metres below ground. The blast marked the start of the six-year extension project. SFR, which has been in operation since the late 1980s, is now being extended to receive decommissioning waste from the Swedish nuclear power plants.

The final repository for short-lived radioactive waste, SFR, is where waste, such as filters, tools and clothing used in the Swedish nuclear power plants, and materials from medical care, industry and research are disposed of. When the extension of SFR is complete, the facility will also accommodate waste from the decommissioning and dismantling of the Swedish nuclear power plants. This will include reactor components, concrete and other building materials.
Rock construction work got under way in December 2024, and today the official launch of blasting took place together with Skanska, which is delivering the extension project in collaboration with SKB.

SFR’s important role in Sweden’s fossil-free electricity production

– It feels really good that we’ve now started rock excavation in Forsmark. The extension of SFR is an important precondition for fossil-free electricity production at the nuclear power plants, now and in the future, says Stefan Engdahl, CEO of SKB.

Stefan Engdahl, CEO of SKB, together with Ida Tjerngren, project manager for the extension, Magnus Persson, CEO of Skanska Sweden, Fabian Sjöberg, Municipal Commissioner of Östhammar and Daniel Westlén, State Secretary to the Minister for Climate and Environment, jointly pressed the button to initiate one of the first explosive charges, which symbolised the start of work on the extension.

– That Skanska is involved in contributing to societal development with this truly unique project is a prestigious honour. We have a close collaboration with SKB, and this project is a great example of how successful things can be when we share expertise, experiences, and knowledge with one another, says Magnus Persson, CEO of Skanska Sweden.

CEO of Skanska Sweden together with SKB:s CEO Stefan Endahl. Photo: Frida Karlsson

CEO of Skanska Sweden together with SKB:s CEO Stefan Endahl. Photo: Frida Karlsson

Scope and future capacity of the project

The existing section of the repository is at a depth of approximately 60 metres and has a storage capacity of 63,000 cubic metres. The new section of the repository will be built at a depth of 120–140 metres. The extension consists of six different waste vaults, and on completion the facility will have a total storage capacity of approximately 180,000 cubic metres. The SFR extension will take about six years to complete. Initially, rock work will be performed, followed by construction and concrete work, and installations. The extension of SFR is a multi-billion SEK project.