Swiss energy company BKW has said it will take its Mühleberg nuclear power station near Bern off the grid in 2019. Until then, it will undergo various retro-fitting projects.
BKW took the decision on Wednesday, in what is the latest in many twists and turns in the history of Mühleberg – one of Switzerland’s five nuclear power plants. Built in 1972, Mühleberg is frequently cited by opponents of nuclear energy as ready for closure.
The energy company said it had looked in recent months into various scenarios for the future of Mühleberg and decided – having taken into account all the technical, economic, regulatory and political aspects – to keep it running until 2019, having implemented the necessary safety measures.
It added that not investing in the plant’s long-term running would significantly reduce the business risk and supported an enhanced capacity for hydro-electric and wind energy within Switzerland and abroad, as well as investments in innovative products and services.
No job losses are foreseen, according to BKW.
Stay of execution
In March 2012, the administrative court ruled Mühleberg must go offline for security reasons, including insufficient resistance to earthquakes and lack of cooling outside the nearby River Aare.
A stay of execution was to be granted only if the operators, BKW, showed they were prepared to invest massively in maintenance and repairs. The judges had also demanded that BKW apply to the environment ministry for a permit to continue to operate, in addition to supplying a comprehensive concept for long-term maintenance.
BKW handed in the requested documents in August. In December, these documents were approved by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI). However, ENSI set out ten requirements for BKW if Mühleberg was to continue operating beyond 2017.
In March 2013, the Federal Court upheld a complaint by BKW, overturning a decision by the Federal Administrative Court ordering the closure of Mühleberg by June 28. As a result, BKW had to implement a set of safety measures demanded by the authorities based on a strict timetable.
Switzerland’s five nuclear power reactors generate slightly more than 40% of the country’s electricity.