The renovation of the temporary “Ersma” repository begins at the Caorso power plant
19 June 2025
Sogin has begun the demolition of the roof of the temporary repository for radioactive waste called “Ersma” at the nuclear power plant at Caorso (Piacenza).
A diamond wire cutting demolition technique was adopted for the dismantling, which was carried out with the use of a crane. The project involves the progressive sectioning of the roof into blocks of reinforced concrete, each weighing about 20 tons.
Sogin adopts the best international standards to ensure maximum safety and precision in its operations. The roof demolition is expected to be completed by next autumn and will produce a total of 1,860 tons of cement and metal material.
The renovation of the Ersma 41 metre long, 38 metre wide and 14 metre high repository, has begun. The project involves the decontamination and demolition of systems and civil works, except for the external perimeter structures, and the construction of a new internal plan developed over two 20 metre long bays, which will increase the storage capacity for radioactive waste. On completion, two overhead cranes will be installed inside for the remote handling of products, with the electrical, fire-fighting, radiological monitoring and automation and control systems.
The restructuring of the Ersma repository is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, while commissioning, after testing, is scheduled for the first half of 2028.
The facility will be able to accommodate up to 2,100 cubic meters of low and medium activity radioactive waste produced exclusively by the decommissioning works at the Caorso plant, including the waste that will result from future dismantling operations of the reactor building’s internals and vessel. The Piacenza plant is also undergoing the dismantling of the systems and components inside the reactor building, which began last November, and the adaptation works for the Ersba1 repository. 2023 saw the completion of the adaptation works at the Ersba2 repository, which is currently operational, ands is being used both for the storage of very low and low activity radioactive waste.
The adaptation of these three repositories avoids creating new temporary storage facilities on site. Previous radioactive waste and waste produced by decommissioning activities will be housed there, with a view to their subsequent removal to the National Repository, once this becomes available.