Beznau Nuclear Power Plant

Geschichte

The Beznau nuclear power plant is a nuclear power plant of the Swiss energy utility Axpo, located in the municipality Döttingen, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, on an artificial island in the Aar river. Producing energy since September 1969, it can claim to be the world's oldest nuclear power plant in commercial operation.HistoryBeznau 1 and 2Beznau 1 is the first commercial nuclear power reactor in Switzerland.Putting an end to the traditional predilection of the Swiss power utilities for hydroelectric power, in the beginning of the 1960s the then Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (NOK, now part of Axpo Holding) started to take into account the construction of a nuclear power plant. On the Swiss Federal Office of Energy recognized the artificial island in Beznau as potential location for a reactor. The corresponding construction permit was issued on and, after only four years, on commissioning was authorized. On Beznau 1 started commercial operation.In the meantime the procedure for the construction of the identical reactor Beznau 2 had begun. The location and a first construction permit were approved on, followed on by the final one. The commissioning started on and the reactor finally entered the commercial operation phase on.Beznau 1 obtained an unlimited operating license already on. On the contrary Beznau 2 received temporary licenses until, when the Swiss Federal Council removed the limitation.The power plant was built in the 1960s, when little opposition to nuclear projects was present. Over the years Beznau has been the scene of some anti-nuclear protests, but such opposition never widespread among the majority of the local population. The cantonal citizens systematically rejected all votes on early shutdown of existing plants and on building suspension of new ones. Finally, in 2007 the cantonal parliament entrusted the government to act in order to promote the building of a new reactor.