Konrad 1: Why a new fence is being erected.

Those who take a walk near the Konrad 1 site these days will notice that a new fence is being erected around the plant, which is more sophisticated than the older one. The reason for this is the application of existing law.

Fence at the Konrad 1 site. Its design is specified in the plan approval order

Konrad is currently being converted into a repository for radioactive waste with negligible heat generation. In the case of such plants, the type, height and exact design of the surrounding fence is defined by law. For the Konrad 2 site, an appropriate fence has already been erected during structural work. Such structural measures are currently being performed on the Konrad 1 site as well, so that the plant will soon be fully prepared for the start of operation.

Konrad is a plant licensed according to nuclear law

Before the Konrad repository can take up operation, structural work as set out in the plan approval order needs to be carried out. The Konrad mine is Germany's first repository licensed according to nuclear law. Accordingly, the fence design is set out in the plan approval order, whose implementation is prescribed by law.

Is an alternative safety fence possible?

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) initially tried to have a less sophisticated fencing for the Konrad 1 site licensed. To this end, BfS submitted a request to the Lower-Saxony Ministry for the Environment (licensing authority) inquiring whether a deviating fence design – compared with the specifications in the licence, i.e. the plan approval order – was possible. The Ministry assessed these plans and rejected them, so that a new fence must now be erected according to the licence.

Replacing the trees on the Konrad 1 site

The erection of the fencing as set out in the licence makes it necessary to remove a line of trees that are now standing along the old fence at the Konrad 1 site. According to the tree protection ordinance applicable in the town of Salzgitter, the loss of these trees requires an appropriate replacement in a different location. 100 white willows (Salix alba) will therefore be planted in two rows along the Aue area until autumn 2013. The town of Salzgitter will additionally receive an adjustment payment amounting to €150,300 that will be used for environmental protection measures.