On 1 July 2022, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (FNSI) gave a green light for the restart of Beznau 1, Switzerland’s oldest nuclear reactor.
The reactor, which entered operation in 1969, was shut down on 29 April 2022 for planned annual maintenance. During the work the fuel assembly was replaced, said FNSI. The work was done by more than 400 people including local and international nuclear experts.
Beznau 1, Switzerland first operational nuclear reactor, started operating in 1969. According to owner Axpo, the reactor produces around 3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year, which is enough to power 650,000 four-person households.
Adding 3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year back into the Swiss grid will help with looming electricity shortages driven by constrained supplies of the fossil fuels used to produce much of the electricity consumed in Switzerland.
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zidane says
very clear and good article easy to understand. Thank you
Antony says
Since when are fossil fuels responsible for producing ‘much’ of Switzerlands electricity?
Le News says
It it true that Switzerland’s electricity production uses very little fossil fuel. But what is consumed in Switzerland is different from what is produced. Switzerland is a large exporter and importer of electricity. What is consumed is a mix of imports and local production. A significant amount of hydro power is exported from Switzerland to Italy. Much of what is imported (mainly in winter) comes from Germany where a significant amount of fossil fuel (>40%) is used to generate electricity. And the amount of coal and lignite (the dirtiest fuels) used in Germany has risen since the war in Ukraine. In 2020, Switzerland imported 33 terawatt hours (59% of the amount consumed) and exported 38 terawatt hours (68% of the amount consumed).
Swiss electricity imports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278382/electricity-imports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity exports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278370/electricity-exports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity consumption 2020: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-83135.html
Sources of German electricity: https://www.energy-charts.info/downloads/Stromerzeugung_2021.pdf
Gavin says
Looming shortages? Switzerland gets 2% of electricity from fossil fuels. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-get-75–of-power-from-renewable-sources/46016854
Le News says
It it true that Switzerland’s electricity production uses very little fossil fuel. But what is consumed in Switzerland is different from what is produced. Switzerland is a large exporter and importer of electricity. What is consumed is a mix of imports and local production. A significant amount of hydro power is exported from Switzerland to Italy. Much of what is imported (mainly in winter) comes from Germany where a significant amount of fossil fuel (>40%) is used to generate electricity. And the amount of coal and lignite (the dirtiest fuels) used in Germany has risen since the war in Ukraine. In 2020, Switzerland imported 33 terawatt hours (59% of the amount consumed) and exported 38 terawatt hours (68% of the amount consumed).
Swiss electricity imports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278382/electricity-imports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity exports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278370/electricity-exports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity consumption 2020: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-83135.html
Sources of German electricity: https://www.energy-charts.info/downloads/Stromerzeugung_2021.pdf
S. Mounzer says
Excellent decision this will confort power supply for the short and medium term. Hoping that new EPRs be built soon together with other sustainable sources to secure long term power supply. Hoping also that Switzerland will have the vision and be able to secure still needed natural gas for heating this winter, no matter the source, until we arrange local sustainable sources for heating (heat pump or any other sustainable). Target for our government must be, once for all, to become sustainably autonomous: they are plenty of ways
Energy Expert since 45 years
Stephen Clothier says
Electricity is mainly generated by hydropower (59.9%), nuclear power (33.5%) and conventional thermal power plants (2.3%, non-renewable). So to say fossil fuels are used to produced much of Switzerland’s electricity is incorrect.
Le News says
It it true that Switzerland’s electricity production uses very little fossil fuel. But what is consumed in Switzerland is different from what is produced. Switzerland is a large exporter and importer of electricity. What is consumed is a mix of imports and local production. A significant amount of hydro power is exported from Switzerland to Italy. Much of what is imported (mainly in winter) comes from Germany where a significant amount of fossil fuel (>40%) is used to generate electricity. And the amount of coal and lignite (the dirtiest fuels) used in Germany has risen since the war in Ukraine. In 2020, Switzerland imported 33 terawatt hours (59% of the amount consumed) and exported 38 terawatt hours (68% of the amount consumed).
Swiss electricity imports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278382/electricity-imports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity exports 2020: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278370/electricity-exports-switzerland/
Swiss electricity consumption 2020: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-83135.html
Sources of German electricity: https://www.energy-charts.info/downloads/Stromerzeugung_2021.pdf