Heatwave reduces output at Swiss nuclear power plant by 50%

The ongoing heatwave has forced the Beznau nuclear power plant, which relies on water from the River Aare, to halve its output. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox This measure, which is in line with a decision by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy in 2019, is designed to protect the river's ecosystem. As a result of the heatwave, the temperature of the River Aare downstream of the Beznau nuclear power plant in canton Aargau reached 25 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The power at the facility has been gradually lowered in recent days as the water temperature continued to rise, Axpo said in a statement on Monday. Cooling water for the Beznau power plant is taken from the Aare and returned to the river after use. In hot weather, it is essential to prevent any further heating of the already warm river water, to avoid further stress to aquatic fauna and flora. Consequently, Axpo reduced the output of the plant's two reactors to around 50% the day before. "The ...