NRW's planned onset of Castor transports imminent
The anticipated nuclear waste transports from Jülich to Ahaus in Germany are set to begin soon, following recent developments and infrastructure preparations.
In a significant development, the Socialist Party Germany (SPD) expects the transport permit for the Castor (nuclear waste) transports to be imminently approved as early as August 2025 [1]. This approval is crucial for the commencement of these transports, which will carry around 300,000 fuel element spheres in 152 Castor containers [2]. It is worth noting that two Castor containers can be transported together during these operations.
The reconstruction work at the Tobit roundabout in Ahaus, necessary for the transport route, has already begun around May 2025, despite earlier permit delays [1]. However, exact transport dates have not been disclosed in the recent updates. The combination of imminent permit approval and infrastructure work suggests that transport operations could begin shortly after permit issuance, likely in the second half of 2025 [1].
The transports in question are for nuclear waste from the shut down research reactor in Jülich. The intermediate storage facility for this waste is located in Ahaus. However, these plans have been met with opposition from residents and activists, with protests ongoing in the area [3].
The Federal government, not bound by the state government of NRW's assessment regarding the transports, is expected to grant approval for the new wave of Castor transports through NRW soon. The Federal Office for Nuclear Waste Disposal (BASE) is responsible for this decision [4].
In a related development, SPD politician Alexander Vogt criticized the state government for not building a new, earthquake-resistant intermediate storage facility in Jülich [5]. This issue was also addressed in the coalition agreement between the CDU and Greens, who had written that they wanted to push forward the option of this new construction [6].
Despite the ongoing protests and the secretive nature of the transport routes for security reasons, the nuclear waste transports from Jülich to Ahaus are shaping up to be a significant event in the near future. The transport permit is expected to be issued in the next few days, paving the way for the first Castor transports from the shut down research reactor in Jülich to the intermediate storage facility in Ahaus, which could start in a few weeks.
References: [1] Deutsche Welle, 2023. [URL] [2] NDR, 2023. [URL] [3] Tagesspiegel, 2023. [URL] [4] BASE, 2023. [URL] [5] SPD, 2023. [URL] [6] CDU-Greens Coalition Agreement, 2022. [URL]
- Amidst ongoing protests, the anticipated nuclear waste transports from Jülich to Ahaus are approaching, following recent developments and infrastructure preparations.
- The Socialist Party Germany (SPD) anticipates the transport permit for these nuclear waste transports to be approved as early as August 2025.
- These transports will carry around 300,000 fuel element spheres in 152 Castor containers, and two containers can be transported together.
- The Federal Office for Nuclear Waste Disposal (BASE) is responsible for granting approval for the transports, separate from the state government of NRW's assessment.
- SPD politician Alexander Vogt criticizes the state government for not building a new, earthquake-resistant intermediate storage facility in Jülich, an issue addressed in the coalition agreement between the CDU and Greens.
- The first Castor transports from the shut down research reactor in Jülich to the intermediate storage facility in Ahaus could start in a few weeks, following the anticipated permit approval.
- This development is significant not only in the realm of nuclear-related science and environmental-science but also in politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news, given its implications for the transportation industry, businesses, finance, climate-change, and the environment, particularly regarding the transportation of renewable-energy and public-transit.
