Jura-Südfuss

The geological siting area covers an area of around 65 square kilometres. The host rock formations that come into question in the area are the Opalinus Clay (with its confining units) in the west and the Effingen Beds in the east.

Understanding of the spatial conditions in the area is based on 2D seismic investigations and partly on the results from the deep borehole at Schafisheim. The siting area lies close to the Folded Jura at the northern boundary of the Molasse Basin and is therefore partly subject to strong tectonic stress, which is expressed visibly in some of the regional structures. There are also indications of deformation outside these regional elements and large-scale quiet bedding is rare.

Overall, the siting area is evaluated as being suitable. 

The underground installations for a deep geological repository for low- and intermediate-level waste in the host rocks Opalinus Clay and Effingen Beds could be constructed in the area shown in green.

Siting communities:

Canton Solothurn: Däniken, Dulliken, Eppenberg-Wöschnau, Erlinsbach, Gretzenbach, Lostorf, Niedergösgen, Obergösgen, Olten, Schönenwerd, Starrkirch-Wil, Stüsslingen, Trimbach, Winznau

Canton Aargau: Aarau, Buchs, Gränichen, Hirschthal, Holziken, Kölliken, Muhen, Oberentfelden, Suhr, Unterentfelden

Planning perimeter for surface facilities

The required surface infrastructure (e.g. the portal of the access tunnel) could also be located outside this siting region. Working together with the affected Cantons and representatives from Germany, the Federal Government has defined planning zones (so-called planning perimeters) that include these additional areas. The planning perimeter extends up to 5 km around the geological siting region and should have good road or rail access. Mountainous and hilly zones and protected natural areas are restricting factors. The Federal Office of Energy announced the planning perimeters in provisional form on 10th December 2009; these were approved by the Federal Council on 30th November 2011.

Additional communities within the planning perimeter (besides the siting communities):
Canton Solothurn: Hägendorf, Kappel, Rickenbach, Walterswil, Wangen bei Olten

Further reading:

What is the surface facility?
Participatory approach to identifying the siting areas
Requirements on the siting areas

JS-1

The area lies in the community of Däniken in the vicinity of an existing gravel-pit with a gravel plant. It borders on a parcel of land with a residential building. Rail access would require construction measures. With the existing industrial buildings and forested areas, the facility would barely be visible from larger residential zones.

JS-2

The area lies in the community of Däniken close to the river Aare and is used for agricultural purposes today. Accessing the area would be fairly straightforward. The facility would be clearly visible from residential zones.

JS-3

The area lies in the community of Kölliken close to the A1 motorway in a zone that is partly industrial and partly agricultural. Direct rail access is not possible in this case. The facility would be visible from residential zones.

JS-4

The area lies in the community of Suhr adjacent to a distribution centre with a car-park. The area is used largely for agricultural purposes today and is well accessed. It borders on the Wyna river and local recreational facilities (e.g. swimming pool). The facility would, in principle, be visible from Suhr, but could be integrated into an existing industrial zone with large buildings.

• The Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is responsible for the sectoral plan process. Further information and contact persons for questions on the sectoral plan can be found under: www.bfe.admin.ch/radioaktiveabfaelle

• The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) (until 31 December 2008: HSK) is the regulatory authority for all questions relating to safety. Further information can be found under: www.ensi.ch

• For questions to Nagra on your region:



• Philipp Senn     Tel. +41 (0)56 437 12 88