Extended interim storage
Gorleben licensing procedure
The Gorleben interim storage facility for spent fuel elements began operations in 1995. Encompassing a usable area of approximately 5,000 m², the interim storage facility provides 420 storage bays for transport and storage casks, with an approved total capacity of 3,800 t of heavy metal. 113 storage bays are currently occupied; no further casks are planned to be stored. The licence for the interim storage facility will expire in 2034. As no final repository will be available by then, extended interim storage is necessary.
The following casks are emplaced in the Gorleben interim storage facility for spent fuel elements:
- 3 CASTOR V/19
- 1 CASTOR lc
- 1 CASTOR lla
- 74 CASTOR HAW 20/28 CG
- 21 CASTOR HAW28M
- 12 TN 85
- 1 TS 28 V
The first five casks from the CASTOR V/19, CASTOR Ic and CASTOR Ila series were stored at the Gorleben interim storage facility from 1995 onwards. They contain spent fuel elements from former nuclear power plants.
The other 108 casks contain vitrified high-level radioactive waste resulting from the reprocessing of German fuel elements in France. These casks were returned to Germany between 1996 and 2011. Further information about the Gorleben interim storage facility is available here: https://zwischenlager.info/en/standort/gorleben
The licensing procedure
With a view to the continued operation of the Gorleben interim storage facility beyond 2034, BGZ is applying to the competent Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) for a licence under Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG), eight years before the current licence expires. Further information about the licensing procedure is available here: https://bgz.de/en/extended-interim-storage/
Subject of the application
BGZ is applying for a renewal of the storage licence for the 113 casks currently stored at the Gorleben interim storage facility and their contents. The approval period requested is 20 years.
By deciding to limit the approval period to 20 years, BGZ is responding to a request from civil society. Shorter time limits also mean regular reassessments that take place within a predictable timeframe – based on the state of the art in science and technology. In addition, the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection (the content of this page is in German) provides ongoing supervision, and there are periodic safety inspections. The safety of the interim storage facility is therefore continuously monitored, assessed and constantly adapted to emerging challenges. Another positive effect: A short approval period contributes to the transfer of knowledge and the retention of expertise within BGZ, as well as amongst the authorities and experts.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at Gorleben
An environmental impact assessment is being carried out at the Gorleben site as part of the licensing procedure. To this end, the area surrounding the interim storage facility is being monitored and documented by an external specialist planner over the course of one growing season. The specific scope of the study is determined on the basis of the ‘scoping meeting’. This meeting is chaired by BASE and involves environmental organisations, public authorities and other third parties.
The results of the survey will be used to assess whether the continued operation of the interim storage facility, as currently approved, could have any future impacts on people and the environment. The EIA report drawn up on this basis will be made available for public inspection during the licensing process and can be discussed at the public consultation meeting.
BGZ and BASE had explained and discussed the entire process in detail with interested members of the public at a public consultation event (the content of this page is in German).
Milestones on the path to extended interim storage
20 May 2025
Application for an EIA
BGZ submits its application for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE).
7 October 2025
Scoping meeting
The scope of the survey is determined. During this meeting chaired by BASE, the knowledge and skills of experts, environmental organisations, public authorities and other third parties are taken into account.
12 February 2026
Notification by BASE regarding the scope of the environmental impact assessment
BASE informs BGZ of the scope of the environmental impact assessment, i.e. the content, scope and level of detail of the information that BGZ is likely to be required to include in the EIA report.
29 June 2026
Application for a licensing procedure under Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG)
Starting with this official document, BGZ will submit a large number of application documents for the licensing procedure. This marks the start of a process lasting several years, during which BGZ will regularly respond to queries from the regulatory authority and its experts regarding the supporting evidence and, where necessary, revise the documents. The submission of the application formally marks the start of the procedure under the Atomic Energy Act.
Public display of the documents
BASE uses the public display of the documents to provide members of the public with the opportunity to articulate their views through formal channels. They may inspect these documents and raise any objections to the proposal.
Public consultation meeting
The public consultation meeting will be chaired by BASE. The event is open to the public concerned and provides an opportunity to discuss the objections that have been raised. BGZ, as the applicant, is invited to comment on the objections from a technical perspective.
Finalisation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Once the findings of the meeting have been assessed, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is finalised. BASE uses the results in the subsequent licensing procedure for extended interim storage.
2034
Granting of the approval pursuant to Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG) (planned)
Provided that all supporting documents have been reviewed and assessed favourably, approval will be granted at the end of the procedure in accordance with Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG).
Communication and public involvement
In light of extended interim storage, BGZ wishes to further deepen the dialogue it has maintained for many years with people from the region. The aim is to create an opportunity for public involvement that goes beyond formal participation within the framework of the process led by BASE. BGZ therefore launched a dialogue group at the start of 2026. The aim was to work together with local residents and relevant stakeholders from the region, addressing various perspectives and questions with respect to extended interim storage, and engaging in a dialogue based on trust.
The dialogue group was formed as follows: Along with invited delegates from civil society organisations and the political sphere, ten places were assigned via a lottery among interested individuals. Care was taken to ensure that the group’s composition was as diverse as possible.
The dialogue group meets regularly in the lead-up to BGZ submitting the application for the licensing procedure. It closely examines various topics which fall within BGZ’s remit. The dialogue group selects the topics, with BGZ making various suggestions for discussion. The results of the dialogue group meetings are published on this website.
As well as the meetings of the dialogue group, there will be two public events. At these events, BGZ will inform the general public about the current status of the licensing procedure for extended interim storage and will provide ample opportunity for questions and suggestions.
Naturally, public involvement will not end once we have submitted the application. We will continue the dialogue with local residents throughout the entire licensing procedure and communicate progress transparently.
Local residents have the opportunity to discuss the matter with expert BGZ staff at the Gorleben Information Centre and ask questions about extended interim storage. In addition, there are numerous models, display boards and short videos on site that provide a good insight into the topic of interim storage.
Gorleben Information Centre
Lüchower Straße 4
29475 Gorleben
Phone: +49 5882 100
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 2 pm to 5 pm
In addition, anyone with questions or suggestions is welcome to contact BGZ via the following channels:
Please note that the documents published here are available in German only.
Documents pertaining to the licensing procedure according to Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG) and the EIA
Antrag auf Genehmigung nach § 6 Absatz 1 Atomgesetz
für die Aufbewahrung von Kernbrennstoffen
(29.06.2026)
Verlängerte Zwischenlagerung am Standort Gorleben
Bericht über die frühe Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung
Unterrichtung des BASE über den Untersuchungsrahmen
der Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung
(12.02.2026)
Antrag auf Unterrichtung über den Untersuchungsrahmen nach § 15 UVPG
BGZ Gesellschaft für Zwischenlagerung mbH
Scoping-Unterlage im Rahmen der Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung
zur verlängerten Zwischenlagerung am Standort Gorleben.
Sweco GmbH im Auftrag der BGZ (Stand 28.07.2025)
Scoping-Unterlage im Rahmen der Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung
zur verlängerten Zwischenlagerung am Standort Gorleben.
Sweco GmbH im Auftrag der BGZ (Stand 22.11.2024)
Please note that the documents published here are available in German only.
Documents pertaining to the informal participation process initiated by BGZ
Ergebnisdokumentation zur 3. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 09.06.2026 in Dannenberg
Präsentationsunterlagen zur 3. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 09.06.2026 in Dannenberg
Ergebnisdokumentation zur Veranstaltung
Zuhören, fragen, mitreden, am 21.5.2026 in Lüchow-Dannenberg
Präsentationsunterlagen zur 2. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 19.03.2026 in Waddeweitz
Ergebnisdokumentation zur 2. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 19.03.2026 in Waddeweitz
Präsentationsunterlagen zur 1. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 19.02.2026 in Lüchow
Ergebnisdokumentation zur 1. Dialoggruppensitzung
am 19.02.2026 in Lüchow
Präsentationsunterlagen zur Auftaktveranstaltung Bürgerbeteiligung
Zuhören, fragen, mitreden, am 4.11.2025 in Hitzacker
Ergebnisdokumentation zur Auftaktveranstaltung Bürgerbeteiligung
Zuhören, fragen, mitreden, am 4.11.2025 in Hitzacker
Kommunikation und Beteiligung: Verlängerte Zwischenlagerung ab 2034,
Vortragsunterlagen von Dr. Tristan Zielinski, Standortkommunikation
BGZ zur Dialogveranstaltung am 28.1.2025
Vortragsunterlagen zur Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung am Standort Gorleben,
Dr. Matthias Heck und Dr. Danijela Obradovic Arsic,
BGZ zur Dialogveranstaltung am 28.1.2025
Contact
Dr. Tristan Zielinski
Site Communications Gorleben
Phone +49 5882 10-286
EMail tristan.zielinski@bgz.de
Burghard Rosen
Head of Press and Site Communications
Phone +49 201 2796-1480
EMail burghard.rosen@bgz.de
