Switzerland : Emergency shutdown of Beznau Reactor 2 after human error

Reactor 2 of the Beznau nuclear power plant, the oldest in Europe, was shut down in an emergency following an incorrect operation during a routine inspection. The Axpo group assures that safety was maintained and that a restart is under review.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

Reactor 2 of the Beznau nuclear power plant, located in Switzerland, was shut down in an emergency on Monday at 1:05 p.m. (12:05 p.m. GMT) following an operational error during a routine inspection. The Axpo group, which operates the plant, stated in a press release that the security procedure was immediately triggered and that the incident posed no danger to the population or the environment.

One of Europe’s oldest power plants

Commissioned in 1971, Beznau Reactor 2 is one of the oldest still in operation worldwide. Reactor 1, which began service in 1969, completes the site, making it the oldest nuclear power plant in Europe still in operation. Switzerland has four active nuclear reactors, all of which have been in service for several decades.

A monitored restart

Axpo stated that the reactor will only restart after approval from the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (IFSN). During this phase, water vapor may be visible around the plant, a phenomenon considered normal by the operator. The facility undergoes regular inspections to ensure its proper functioning, and Axpo announced in 2023 its intention to extend its operation until 2033.

An uncertain future for nuclear power in Switzerland

In 2017, a referendum confirmed the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy, which accounts for 29% of national electricity production, by banning the construction of new plants. However, the Swiss government stated last December that it intends to amend the law to allow the construction of new reactors. This shift comes amid an uncertain energy landscape, marked by debates over supply security and the transition to alternative sources.

Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels have announced a target date of around September 19 to finalise their strategic consolidation, pending final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.
The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMRâ„¢ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.