Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear power plant in Döttingen, Switzerland
The Beznau Nuclear Power Plant operates on an artificial island in the Aare River with two pressurized water reactors generating 730 megawatts of electricity.
The facility began operations in 1969 as Switzerland's first nuclear power plant, with its second reactor unit starting commercial service in March 1972.
The plant stands as a representation of Switzerland's industrial development and commitment to energy independence through nuclear power generation technology.
Free guided tours lasting 90 minutes allow groups of eight or more visitors aged 12 and above to explore the facility and its control room.
The power plant supplies district heating through the Refuna system to neighboring municipalities while maintaining the Aare River's temperature balance.
Location: Döttingen
Operator: Axpo Power AG
Website: https://axpo.com/axpo/ch/de/home.html
GPS coordinates: 47.55220,8.22778
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:34
This collection brings together nuclear power plants that have shaped the history of civilian nuclear energy. Some experienced accidents that changed the world’s view of nuclear energy. Chernobyl in Ukraine remains a symbol of the 1986 disaster, while Fukushima in Japan showed the risks of natural events. Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania paused the building of new reactors in the US for many years. Other sites are among the largest in the world, like Kashiwazaki-Kariwa in Japan or Bruce in Canada. Many places are facing challenges today, such as the Zaporijia plant in Ukraine. The collection also includes projects that tried to push the technical limits of this energy. Superphénix in France and Monju in Japan explored new types of reactors, with mixed results. Some facilities, like Bataan in the Philippines, were never operational despite being fully built. Others, like Oyster Creek or Tokai, helped start nuclear work in their countries. From Siberia to the United Arab Emirates, from Canada to India, these sites tell stories about energy choices, technical progress, failures, and questions that have surrounded this source of power for more than sixty years.
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