Beznau Nuclear Power Plant Incident in Switzerland
What Happened and When
- On Sunday, March 24, 2025, at 10:31 PM, an automatic emergency shutdown occurred at Beznau 2, a unit at the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant in Switzerland [2][3][5].
- The cause was a failed connection to the 220-kilovolt power grid[2][3][5].
- Despite the shutdown, the plant remained safe, and non-radioactive water vapor was released through the turbine house roof [3][4].
- Neighboring Unit 1 continued its operations normally.
The Assessment
- The incident did not threaten safety; both the plant and its operations were in compliance with design specifications [1][5].
- The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) and other authorities were notified following standard protocols [2][3].
- Investigations are ongoing to identify the root cause of the connection failure [1][2].
Future Plans
- Timeline: Axpo plans to decommission Beznau 1 in 2033 and Beznau 2 in 2032 [1][2].
- Energy Policy: Switzerland is gradually phasing out nuclear energy following a voter-approved plan in 2017, with no new power plants to be built [5].
- Current Operations: Despite being one of the oldest operational nuclear facilities in the world, the Beznau NPP contributes to Switzerland's power mix along with facilities like Gösgen and Leibstadt [2].
The Critics
- Environmental groups, such as "No More Nuclear Power" and Greenpeace, view the continued operation of these facilities as high-risk and advocate for investing funds in renewable energy expansion instead [3].
Swift Closure of Nuclear Facility Adjacent to German Border
[1] ntv.de (2025)[2] rog/dpa (2025)[3] YourNews (2025)[4] Axpo Press Release (2025)[5] Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (2022)
- The incident at the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant in Switzerland has sparked a debate about the future of nuclear energy, with critics arguing that facilities like Beznau 1 and 2, despite being old, pose high-risk and should be replaced with investments in renewable energy expansion.
- Despite ongoing investigations into the root cause of the connection failure, Axpo has announced plans to decommission Beznau 1 in 2033 and Beznau 2 in 2032, aligning with Switzerland's employment policy and energy policy to phase out nuclear energy.
- With nuclear energy on its way out, Whatsapp groups and online communities discussing policy changes may see increased activity related to the employment and community implications of shutting down nuclear plants in canton Döttingen and across Switzerland.
