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Nuclear Power Plants

Switzerland has five nuclear power plants: Beznau I & II, Mühleberg, Gösgen and Leibstadt. In addition to the nuclear power plants, three research reactors are in operation: at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Würenlingen, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Lausanne and the University of Basel. And finally, the national central interim storage facility for radioactive waste (ZWILAG) at Würenlingen is also monitored by ENSI.

 

News

  • News, Posts

    IAEA Director General receives an insight into Swiss backfitting philosophy

    ENSI experts gave the Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, a guided tour of the Beznau nuclear power plant during a working visit to Switzerland. Grossi was given a picture of the continuous improvements made to nuclear safety as laid down in the Vienna Declaration, in the setting of the Beznau…

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, ENSI
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  • News, Posts

    ENSI’s assessment of earthquake safety at the Beznau nuclear power plant ruled correctly

    The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate assessed the earthquake safety of the Beznau nuclear power plant in accordance with the legal requirements. The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has thus rejected an appeal lodged by 15 individuals.

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Court decisions, Earthquakes
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  • News, Posts

    New studies on protection of Swiss nuclear power plants against a deliberate plane crash now completed

    Swiss nuclear power plants have an adequate level of protection against a deliberate plane crash. This is confirmed by an update of the associated analyses ordered by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) in 2013. For security reasons, the details are confidential.

    Nuclear Facilities, Nuclear Power Plants, Security
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  • News, Posts

    Video interview: Beznau 1 Nuclear Power Plant gets the go-ahead to start up again

    Hans Wanner, Director General of ENSI: “Axpo has proved that the inclusions found in the steel of the reactor pressure vessel do not have a negative effect on the safety. ”

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Facilities
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  • News

    Beznau 1: Aluminium oxide inclusions do not have a negative impact on reactor pressure vessel safety

    Beznau 1 NPP gets the go-ahead to start up again. Axpo has proved that the inclusions found in the steel of the reactor pressure vessel do not have a negative effect on safety. ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, has reviewed and accepted the safety case.

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Facilities
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  • Interviews, News, Posts

    “Extensive test program shows no evidence of a detrimental effect of the inclusions on the brittle fracture reference temperature”

    An international panel of experts supported the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI in assessing Axpo’s safety case for the Beznau 1 reactor pressure vessel. In an interview, the chair of the review panel Tim Williams explains why they support the conclusion that Beznau 1 may be restarted.

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Facilities
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  • News, Posts

    Chronology: from the findings in Belgium to the proof of safety from Beznau 1

    In the summer of 2012, findings are detected in the basic material of the reactor pressure vessel of the Belgian nuclear power plant Doel-3. As a result, nuclear power plants in Switzerland also have to carry out inspections. Since findings are also detected in the reactor pressure vessel of Beznau 1, Axpo needs to prove…

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Facilities
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  • News, Posts

    Quality assurance errors relating to some fuel rods in the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant

    A few days ago, Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant (KKL) informed the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) that some fuel elements do not fulfil the requirements of the applicable specifications. Accordingly, KKL decided to replace them for safety reasons. The safety of man and the environment was ensured at all times.

    Events, Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant
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  • News, Posts

    The carbon content of the steam generators at Beznau and Gösgen is not too high

    The steam generators at Beznau and Gösgen do not deviate from the design requirements in terms of their carbon content. This is the result of a review of the manufacturing documents. The structural integrity of the steam generators’ individual components is ensured by a large margin.

    Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear Facilities
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