SÚRAO cancels geological drilling tender for nuclear waste sites

The Radioactive Waste Repository Administration (SÚRAO) has canceled a tender for deep geological drilling at four potential sites for a radioactive waste repository. SÚRAO spokesperson Martina Bílá stated the cancellation was due to changes in the building law, which significantly impacted the tender conditions. The law amendment was signed by the president on September 17.

The Platform Against Deep Repositories, representing 40 municipalities and 18 associations, expressed concern that the cancellation will delay the selection of final and backup locations. The platform notes that previous drilling tenders were also canceled in December 2025. Michael Forman, mayor of Horažďovice and spokesperson for the platform, suggested that the ambitious 2028 target and even the 2030 deadline for site selection may no longer be realistic without the necessary geological data from these drills.

The four locations under consideration include Březový potok in Pošumaví, Horka and Hrádek in Vysočina, and Janoch near Temelín. While the tender was canceled, SÚRAO maintains that the implementation of deep drilling at the investigated sites is still planned.