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

8 March 2018 News, Posts, Beznau Nuclear Power Plant

9 October 2020

IAEA Director General receives an insight into Swiss backfitting philosophy

ENSI experts gave IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, a guided tour of the Beznau nuclear power plant. Grossi was given a picture of the continuous improvements made to nuclear safety as laid down in the Vienna Declaration, in the setting of a Swiss example.

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25 January 2019

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.

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8 March 2018

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.

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6 March 2018

“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. The IRP has been following Axpo’s safety […]

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6 March 2018

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 it was safe. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI accepts this proof in 2018.

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6 January 2017

“The inspection of the steam generators of the Gösgen and Beznau Nuclear Power Plants will not require a temporary shut-down”

Georg Schwarz, ENSI Deputy Director and head of the NPPs Division, explains the background and context in the following interview.

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14 December 2016

Beznau and Gösgen nuclear power plants must check their steam generators

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) requires that the Beznau and Gösgen nuclear power plants check the quality and design of the forgings of the steam generators in respect of adherence to the material specifications.

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16 November 2016

ENSI reviews reactor pressure vessel safety case submitted by Beznau 1

On Monday, Axpo submitted the documents for characterisation and assessment of the findings in the base material of the Beznau 1 reactor pressure vessel. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) will review these and decide whether Beznau 1 nuclear power plant will receive permission to restart.

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2 December 2015

ENSI reviews Axpo’s project plan for the safety case of the Beznau 1 reactor pressure vessel

Axpo submitted today a project plan (road map) to ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, outlining procedures for the characterisation and evaluation of the indications in the base material of the Beznau 1 reactor pressure vessel. ENSI will review this plan in collaboration with a group of international experts.

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