Beznau nuclear power plant: Unit 2 back on the grid after refueling

23.08.2022 - Following successful refueling, Axpo brought Unit 2 of the Beznau nuclear power plant (KKB) back online during the course of yesterday. With the new loading of the reactor core, KKB 2 is starting the next operating cycle and will once again produce electricity around the clock for more than 600,000 four-person households.

Unit 2 had gone offline on 8 August 2022 as scheduled for annual refueling. Over the past two weeks, specialists at KKB have replaced 20 of the total of 121 fuel assemblies in the reactor core. In addition, inspection work, system tests and planned maintenance work were carried out on individual components.

Following clearance by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI, KKB 2 has now gradually resumed power operation. The plant will reach full load (365 megawatts net output) in about two days.

During restart, water vapor is visible above the non-nuclear part of the plant (machine house) at times. There is no danger to people or the environment.