Developments since 2001

2001

The IAEA's Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management comes into force.

Publication of the investigation results for the Benken borehole and the 3D seismic campaign in the Zürcher Weinland.

Participation in the Fifth Framework Research Programme of the European Union.

2002

Acquisition and operation of a storage depot in Mellingen.

In a referendum on 22nd September, the people of Canton Nidwalden reject the concession for excavation of an exploratory drift at Wellenberg that had been granted previously by the cantonal government.

Submission of the Entsorungsnachweis feasibility study (project Opalinus Clay) for SF/HLW/ILW to the Federal Council.

2003

The anti-nuclear two initiatives «Energy without Nuclear» and «Moratorium Plus» are rejected in a national referendum.

The National Council and the Council of States, which together constitute the Swiss Parliament, pass a new Nuclear Energy Act.

Start of Phase VI (2003-2013) of investigations at the Grimsel Test Site.

Liquidation of the Cooperative for Nuclear Waste Management Wellenberg (GNW).

Reorganisation of Nagra with an Executive Board and extended Management Team.

2004

HSK publishes its expert opinion on the crystalline option for HLW disposal.

OECD/NEA experts deliver a positive review of the safety assessment report of the Entsorgungsnachweis project.

The Grimsel Test Site celebrates 20 years of research.

Completion of the PEGASOS seismic hazard assessment study for the nuclear power plant sites. 

2005

The new Nuclear Energy Act and its Ordinance enter into force.

Nagra is certified on 14th June according to ISO Norm 9001:2000.

An advisory group is set up by DETEC to prepare the strategic part of the sectoral plan for deep geological repositories.

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (HSK) and the Commission for Nuclear Waste Management (KNE) publish their reviews of the Entsorgungsnachweis project. The three-month period for open consultation attracts 3800 responses.

Publication of a study commissioned by the Forum Opalinus on the socio-economic impact of a repository located in the Zürcher Weinland.

Submission of a report outlining the options for siting a HLW repository.

2006

The Federal Council approves the Entsorgungsnachweis project for HLW on 28th June.

The approval of the Entsorgungsnachweis project marked the end of many years

of intensive work which is documented in numerous technical reports.
(Image: Comet)

The Mont Terri Rock Laboratory celebrates 10 years of research.

The Federal Council takes note of the socio-economic study commissioned by the Federal Office of Energy on the socio-economic impacts of waste management facilities.

Updating of the cost estimates for deep geological repositories.

Broadly based participation process as part of the sectoral plan for deep geological repositories.

2007

Dr. Thomas Ernst takes over as Chief Executive Officer of Nagra.

Nagra participates in boreholes being drilled by third parties with a view to improving the existing database.

2008

The Federal Council approves the conceptual part of the Sectoral Plan for Deep Geological Repositories on 2nd April. Stage 1 of the site selection process begins.

On 6th November, the Federal Office of Energy announces Nagra's proposals for suitable siting regions. For a L/ILW repository: Südranden, Zürich Nordost (Zürcher Weinland), North of Lägern, Jura Ost (Bözberg), Jura-Südfuss and Wellenberg. For a HLW repository: Zürich Nordost (Zürcher Weinland), North of Lägern and Jura Ost (Bözberg).

Nagra publishes the waste management programme required by law as NTB 08-01.

Pankraz Freitag is elected as the new President of the Board of Directors. He replaces Hans Issler who stepped down after reaching retirement age.  

2009

The Grimsel Test Site celebrates its 25-year anniversary.

Nagra publishes its RD&D Plan (Research, Development and Demonstration Plan, NTB 09-06). The report sets out the planned scientific and technical activities up to the time of implementation of the geological repositories.

2010

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI (previously HSK) and the Federal Commission for Nuclear Safety KNS publish their reviews of Nagra's siting proposals. From the viewpoint of safety and engineering feasibility, all the proposals are approved.

The documents for stage 1 of the Sectoral Plan process are opened to the public.

2011

Start of the seismic campaign in the regions Jura Ost and North of Lägern. These investigations will improve the understanding of the underground geological environment and will provide input for the provisional safety analyses to be carried out in Stage 2 of the Sectoral Plan process.

The Federal Council reaches its decision on the result of Stage 1: it approves the siting regions proposed by Nagra and incorporates them definitively into the Sectoral Plan.

2012