Derek Wilson, the NWMO’s Vice-President of Design and Construction, shared an update about technical aspects of Adaptive Phased Management (APM) at the Ignace Community Nuclear Liaison Committee meeting in March. His presentation highlighted the possible range of facilities that will be associated with the project.

“There is a lot more to this project than the actual deep geological repository,” says Mr. Wilson. “Many of the associated pieces, like the Centre of Expertise, are planned to come online years before any construction of the repository would begin.”

In his presentation, Mr. Wilson described the planned Centre of Expertise. Once a preferred site is identified, this facility would be constructed to provide an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate the equipment and processes that would be used during the operation of the repository, as well as provide support for detailed site characterization activities. The centre would also support environment and social research, as well as ongoing engagement efforts.

He also described the range of facilities that will be associated with the project, including possible manufacturing of the containers for used nuclear fuel that will eventually be placed in the repository.

Mr. Wilson is scheduled to visit all community liaison committees involved in the site selection process over the next few months.

Description of a Deep Geological Repository and Centre of Expertise for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel