| DE FR EN

Switch to the Axpo Group website.

Go to Axpo Group website.

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

Axpo Holding AG

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

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

(08.00 - 17.30)

More media releases

Show all

International business 13.10.2026

Axpo conducts its first LNG bunkering in Port of Valencia

Axpo has successfully completed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in the Port of Valencia, Spain. The ship-to-ship transfer refuelled a container vessel for a leading global transport and logistics company with LNG, more than half of which was bio-LNG.

Read more

Wind power 12.10.2026

Dreibündenstein: wind measurements completed

Axpo has completed the one-year measurement phase for its planned wind farm project at Dreibündenstein in Graubünden. The 125-metre wind measurement mast will be dismantled over the coming days. Data on wind, weather and bat activity are now being analysed and will inform the next stage of project planning and the assessment of feasibility.

Read more

Solar energy 09.10.2026

Axpo, Aargau and FiBL start work on latest agri-PV research facility

Axpo, the canton of Aargau and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) have started construction of an agri-PV research facility in Suhr, Switzerland, it was announced today. Combining solar energy and agricultural production on the same site, the facility will comprise a 600-kilowatt-peak (kWp) photovoltaic plant located on arable land. Part of the cantonal AgriSolar Research programme, all electricity generated by the plant will be purchased by Swiss dairy processor Emmi and consumed directly at its local site.

Read more