The Beznau nuclear power plant (KKB) intends to meet the requirements of the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), drawn up following the accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, within the defined deadline. The KKB emphasises that Beznau I and II nuclear power plants have consistently met all the requirements of the supervisory authorities and that, even without the new requirements, the safe operation of both plants has at all times been guaranteed. This has been regularly confirmed by the ENSI.

The safety of Swiss nuclear power plants was reviewed following the events in Japan. The review was based on the assumption of a severe earthquake occurring at the same time as massive flooding, as happened in Japan – something which for geological and hydrological reasons is unrealistic in Switzerland. In the case of the KKB, it was found that the plants would withstand all magnitudes of earthquake to be expected in the region and all physically possible flood scenarios.

Following the "Fukushima Review", the ENSI issued far-reaching requirements which go significantly beyond the current, already extremely strict regulations for Swiss nuclear power plants. The KKB accepts that this may bring about further improvements and intends to implement the ENSI requirements as well as any associated structural measures within the defined time limit.

The safety systems of the KKB have been comprehensively upgraded since it went into operation. Around CHF 1.5 billion – almost three times the initial investment volume – has been invested in regular upgrades to the KKB. In the last financial year, the volume of electricity generated by the KKB amounted to around 5,500 gigawatt hours (GWh), providing well over a million households with a reliable supply of electricity.

Further information:
Axpo Holding AG | Corporate Communications
Media Hotline | 0800 44 11 00