Germany's Gorleben nuclear waste site seeks 20-year licence extension amid delays

Germany’s interim nuclear waste storage facility in Gorleben will need to operate much longer than first planned. The federally owned Nuclear Waste Management Company (BGZ) has applied to extend its licence by 20 years. This comes as the search for a permanent repository drags on beyond the legal deadline of 2031. The current licence for the Gorleben site expires in 2034 after 40 years of use. BGZ argues the extension is safe, pointing to regular safety reviews every ten years. The facility currently holds 113 CASTOR casks with high-level radioactive waste, including spent fuel rods and reprocessing residues.

The above-ground storage hall has thinner walls and ceilings than newer sites. Its walls are just 50 centimetres thick, with a roof slab of only 20 centimetres. The Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management will oversee the approval process for the licence extension.

The Citizens’ Initiative for Environmental Protection Lüneburg-Dannenberg (BI) has warned about long-term security and the building’s structural integrity. Environmental activists have also raised concerns about the proposed 20-year extension. The extension request highlights the delays in finding a permanent waste repository. If approved, Gorleben will continue storing highly radioactive material for decades. The decision now rests with the federal safety authority.