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) and the Federal Government interim storage facility at Würenlingen are also monitored by ENSI.

News

14 November 2022

WENRA’s statement on the importance of nuclear safety in the context of the current energy crisis

At its November 2022 plenary meeting, WENRA discussed the consequences of the current energy crisis on regulatory activities and issued a statement which highlights the importance of nuclear safety in this new challenging context.

22 February 2021

New study on extreme flooding of the River Aare is also relevant for nuclear power plant sites

Today, the Federal Office of the Environment, FOEN, published its study “Extreme Flooding of the River Aare”. Their findings also include a re-evaluation of the flood risk to nuclear installations located on the Aare.

5 February 2021

All Swiss nuclear power plants comply with the updated earthquake safety standards

For the second time since the Fukushima accident in 2011, power plant operators have demonstrated that their plants are capable of withstanding an extremely rare, severe earthquake.

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.

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.

22 August 2018

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 being kept under wraps.

8 March 2018

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. “

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.

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 […]