Horonobe Underground Research Center

History

Over two decades of history of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Porject is given here with a summary of the major milestones.

    November 2000
    Conclusion of agreement on 'Geoscientific Research in Horonobe' (20 years' Research and Development (R&D) Programme) between Hokkaido, Horonobe Town and Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (now JAEA).
    March 2001
    Opening of Horonobe Underground Research Center; Start of Phase I
    July 2002
    Selection and announcement of location of URL Site
    July 2003
    Start of development of URL Site
    April 2005
    Start of construction of surface facilities
    November 2005
    Start of construction of subsurface facilities; Start of Phase II
    March 2006
    Completion of Phase I
    May 2009
    Completion of construction of 140 m Gallery
    June 2010
    Completion of construction of 250 m Gallery
    July 2010
    Start of operation of subsurface facilities; Start of Phase III
    June 2014
    End of construction of 350 m Gallery
    March 2015
    Completion of Phase II
    January 2020
    Approval of JAEA's plan for extending R&D Programme for nine years from April 2020 until March 2029 by Hokkaido and Horonobe Town
    February 2023
    Start of Horonobe International Project (HIP)
    April 2023
    Start of extension of subsurface facilities to 500 m depth