The Beznau nuclear power plant in northern Switzerland is fully back online after extreme summer heatwaves forced multiple closures. Plant operator Axpo confirmed that both reactors have been successfully reconnected to the power grid. Unit 1 returned to normal operation on 21 August 2026 after river temperatures dropped. Unit 2 was reconnected on 27 August 2026 following a planned outage.
During the August shutdown, technicians successfully replaced 20 out of 121 fuel assemblies. They also completed scheduled safety inspections and system tests at unit 2.
Beznau NPP relies heavily on water from the Aare River to cool its vital systems. Intense summer heatwaves pushed river water temperatures to record levels. Axpo had to completely shut down operations in both June and July to protect the local river ecosystem and ensure safety compliance.
The Beznau facility holds historical significance as Europe’s oldest operating nuclear power station. Reactor 1 first entered service in 1969, followed by Reactor 2 in 1971. Together, the two units are critical to national infrastructure, generating roughly 10% of Switzerland’s total electricity demand.
