Over 50% of Germany has been ruled out as a nuclear waste repository

An interim report on the status of Germany’s search for a permanent nuclear waste repository has been published by the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE). The report includes an interactive map showing the assessed areas, excluding those deemed unsuitable, narrowing the search to 44% of the country. The BGE began in 2017 after Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power, treating the entire country as a ‘blank map’ to identify geologically suitable sites. The BGE will release annual status reports and aims to complete Phase 1 by 2027, submitting a final proposal to the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) with a shortlist of sites for further examination in Phase 2. Nuclear waste is currently stored in 16 temporary facilities near decommissioned plants, with the final site selection originally scheduled for 2031, but now delayed to 2046. A recent report suggested that the process could take until 2075, but the Environment Ministry disputed this estimate, citing recent progress.