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Swiss Nuclear Plant Shut Down Due to Heatwave
Axpo said the plant will restart only after the Aare cools enough and authorities approve, after output had already been cut to 50%.
- On Friday, Axpo shut down both reactors at the Beznau facility after rising temperatures in the Aare River prevented the plant from maintaining sufficient cooling for operations.
- A deadly heatwave choked 150 million people across Europe, driving temperatures above 35 degrees; in Basel, Switzerland recorded 38.8 degrees on June 26, crushing a heat record standing for nearly 80 years.
- Before the full shutdown, Axpo had reduced reactor output to 50% on Tuesday after the Aare River reached 25 degrees on Wednesday; the plant remains one of the oldest nuclear facilities in the world.
- Restarting the plant remains dependent on river conditions, as Axpo said it was "continuing to monitor the Aare's temperature," while France also shut down two nuclear reactors on June 25 as an environmental measure.
- Nearly 60% of Swiss citizens support constructing new nuclear power plants, as the nation relies on nuclear energy for just over a third of its electricity production, underscoring the shutdown's broader energy implications.
Insights by Ground AI
16 Articles
16 Articles
The Beznau nuclear power plant – the oldest active nuclear power plant in the world – is standing still. The heat wave heated up the Aare so much that it was no longer possible to cool the reactors.
Saturday could be even warmer, especially in Geneva. The Beznau nuclear power plant reduced its production this Friday because of the heat wave. The heat wave is spreading east of Europe. The World Meteorological Organization fears a record phenomenon.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left, 37% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources are Center
38% Left
L 38%
C 37%
R 25%
Factuality
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