Nuclear waste storage Gorleben, Interim radioactive waste repository in Lower Saxony, Germany.
The Gorleben facility is an interim storage site for radioactive waste in Lower Saxony with specialized storage buildings designed to hold transport casks containing high-level materials from German power plants. The installation currently holds 113 casks, including spent fuel elements and vitrified waste from French reprocessing facilities.
The facility was established in 1982 as a central component of Germany's nuclear waste management strategy, but geological studies later revealed concerns about salt dome stability. The government removed the site from consideration as a permanent repository in 2020.
The site has been a focal point for public protest movements since its opening, with citizens regularly gathering to voice concerns about radioactive waste storage. These demonstrations reflect widespread local engagement with environmental and energy policy decisions.
The site is located in a remote area and is not open to public visits due to strict security requirements around the radioactive materials storage. Visitors can explore the surrounding area or attend informational events to learn more about the facility and its operations.
The site was the flagship of German nuclear policy for decades before being quietly phased out following the 2020 reassessment based on geological findings. Today it serves as a physical reminder of how long-standing infrastructure decisions can be reversed when evidence demands change.
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