Switzerland's Beznau nuclear power plant resumes operation after heatwave shutdown

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The Beznau nuclear power plant in Switzerland, operated by the energy company Axpo, returned to full operational status on Friday after reactor two was reconnected to the grid. The facility had experienced multiple shutdowns throughout the summer, specifically in June and July, because high temperatures in the Aare River hindered the plant's cooling processes. Reactor one resumed operations on 21 August, while reactor two had also been offline since 4 August for scheduled refueling. As Europe's oldest operational nuclear plant, the site provides approximately one-tenth of Switzerland's total electricity demand.

Consequences

The plant is expected to reach full capacity within two days, restoring its contribution to the Swiss energy grid. The return to service marks the stabilization of a significant source of power that accounts for a portion of the one-third of Swiss electricity generated by nuclear energy.

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