Beznau nuclear power plant: Start of refueling in Unit 2

4.8.2020 - Unit 2 of the Beznau nuclear power plant (KKB) was taken off grid today, Tuesday, as planned in order to carry out refuelling. After reactor reloading, the plant will be ready for the next operating cycle.

The shutdown of Unit 2 marks the end of the production cycle that began on 20 September 2019. Since then, KKB 2 reliably produced about 2.9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity without interruption. This correspondsto the annual power consumption of about 600,000 households in Switzerland.

During the shutdown that will last about two weeks, 20 of the 121 fuel elements will be replaced and installedin the reactor core. In addition, recurring inspection work and integral system tests will be performed.

During the shutdown, steam from the non-nuclear section will be visible above the powerhouse. This does not pose any danger to human beings or the environment.

During refuelling, the approx. 460 KKB employees will be supported by some 120 external experts.

The measures instituted in spring to prevent the spread of the corona-virus and to protect internal and external staff will continue to be closely observed.

Refuelling work is supervised by the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI.

Additional information

Axpo Holding AG, Corporate Communications

T 0800 44 11 00 (Switzerland) | T +41 56 200 41 10 (international), medien@axpo.com

Media Release View Send email Download

Axpo Holding AG

Corporate Communications

medien@axpo.com

T 0800 44 11 00 (Schweiz)
T +41 56 200 41 10 (International)

(08.00 - 17.30)

Company 17.01.2025

Axpo AGM approves amendment to Articles of Association and elects new board director

At today's Annual General Meeting of Axpo Holding AG, shareholders approved all Board of Directors proposals. They also adopted an amendment to the Articles of Association proposed by the canton of Aargau that requires annual approval of Board of Directors and Executive Board remuneration by the AGM. This provision was part of a proposed new shareholders agreement set to come into force in 2025 but rejected last year by voters in Schaffhausen canton. The proposal - also submitted by the Canton of Aargau to create a profit reserve instead of distributing a special dividend was rejected. Martin Bäumle was elected to the Board of Directors as successor to Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler.

Hydropower 16.01.2025

Mattmark dam: raising by ten metres under review

A total of 15 projects for the expansion of Swiss hydropower have been identified by the government's ‘Round Table on Hydropower’. One of these involves raising the Mattmark dam in the canton of Valais. On behalf of Kraftwerke Mattmark AG, Axpo is currently examining the possibility of raising the dam by 10 metres, which could shift around 60 GWh of electricity production into the winter and make a substantial contribution to security of supply. However, a number of challenges still need to be overcome before the expansion project can be realised.

Hydropower 15.01.2025

Klingnau Aare power plant: modernisation enables higher electricity production

The Aare power plant in Klingnau has been reliably producing electricity for almost 90 years. From 2026, Axpo and AEW Energie AG will be renewing the turbines and generators and investing CHF 71 million to do so. This will increase electricity production by around 11 per cent.