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Geneva: Europe's oldest operating nuclear power plant is fully operational again after multiple heatwave-induced shutdowns over the past two months, Swiss energy company Axpo announced Friday.
The Beznau nuclear plant in northern Switzerland reconnected its second reactor to the grid on Thursday following a refueling shutdown that began August 4. High summer temperatures had repeatedly warmed the Aare River, which the facility relies on for cooling, forcing temporary closures in June and July.
Reactor 1 resumed operation on August 21, and Reactor 2 is expected to reach full capacity within two days after replacing 20 of its 121 fuel assemblies. Heatwaves across Europe have similarly forced several nuclear facilities to curb output or shut down completely.
Brought online in 1969 and 1971, Beznau's two reactors are among the world's oldest. Nuclear energy supplies over a third of Switzerland's electricity, with its four aging reactors generating roughly ten percent of total national demand.
Photo Credits: Fabrice COFFRINI
