Seven EU Member States will work collaboratively through the Net.Excel network on research and decision-making in radioactive waste management. Sharing research in underground laboratories in Europe will be an important component. The Commission hopes the network will strengthen EU competence in dealing with spent fuel or high level radioactive waste. Net.Excel will eventually expand to other international partners.
“This is a key step to develop a better system for the disposal of nuclear fuel,” said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. Spent fuel and high level waste will eventually be disposed of deep underground, on sites chosen according to their geological conditions, including the presence of clay, crystalline rocks and salt.