Four nuclear power plants are in operation in Switzerland:
The Mühleberg nuclear power plant (boiling water reactor), which was commissioned in 1972, was shut down in 2019 and has since been dismantled.
The Nuclear Energy Act (KEG) does not provide for any lifetime limits for nuclear power plants. A nuclear power plant may be operated as long as it meets the legal safety requirements. The operator is responsible for the safety of its plant. The supervisory authority, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), monitors the plants on an ongoing basis, determines possible adjustment measures and their implementation and can also order a shutdown if safety is no longer assured.
Over the long term, the funds have developed in line with the target amount defined by the authorities. Thanks to the five-yearly cost studies, the adjustment of the annual contributions paid by the owners of the nuclear facilities as required and a responsible investment strategy, they are on track.
The cost studies are carried out cautiously and to the best of our expert knowledge in the light of current knowledge. This also includes assumptions about the timing of future costs and the estimation of any risk costs. Account is also taken of the unavoidable forecast uncertainties in the estimate. All these cost estimates take into account the fact that the level of technical knowledge and international experience in decommissioning and waste disposal projects is constantly increasing. The uncertainties, on the other hand, are constantly decreasing. In addition, the cost studies are updated every five years. The cost risk therefore becomes smaller and smaller over time.
If unforeseen additional costs nevertheless arise, the owners of the nuclear facilities bear the risk. If one owner becomes insolvent, the other owners are required by law to make additional contributions. The state is only at the end of the five-stage cost-bearing cascade. Only when these additional contributions are not economically viable for an owner does the Federal Assembly decide whether and to what extent the federal government should contribute to the costs.
The funds' payment plan is based on an assumed operating life of the nuclear power plants of 50 years.
In the event of an early definitive decommissioning of a plant, the owner will be treated in the same way when calculating the contributions from 2024 as if he had only decommissioned his plant after 50 years of operation: the contributions will be spread over 50 years. The owners must cover the entirety of the calculated decommissioning and disposal costs with their contributions, regardless of the duration and amount of energy produced.
The investment strategy is determined by the commission of the two funds appointed by the Federal Council, based on the requirements of the Decommissioning and Waste Disposal Ordinance (SEFV). Since 2020, the SEFV has stipulated an average real return of 1.6% per year as the basis for calculation. An operating life of 50 years is assumed for the nuclear power plants.
Investment activities are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Commission's Investment Committee, which is made up of financial experts appointed by the Confederation and those of the owners and is supported by an investment controller. The annual financial statements of the funds are also audited annually by an external auditor and published publicly.
The two funds are geared towards an extremely long-term investment horizon, as payments are only made once the nuclear power plants have been definitively decommissioned.
A limited operating time for nuclear power plants:
A time limit means in particular:
Thanks to careful and extensive retrofitting, Swiss nuclear power plants have almost reached the safety level of new plants - an internationally outstanding track record. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) regularly inspects the condition of the plants by law and can order upgrades or even the temporary decommissioning of the plant at any time if there are doubts about safety.
The proof of safety required for long-term operation is regulated by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Inspectorate (ENSI). The following points, among others, are set out in the corresponding directive:
Yes, because safety is at the heart of this system. The protection of people and the environment through safe nuclear plants is a concern shared by all. The recognized high level of safety of Swiss nuclear power plants is based on:
Swiss nuclear energy legislation does not provide for any lifetime limits for nuclear power plants. However, an unlimited operating license does not mean unlimited operation. A nuclear power plant may be operated as long as it meets the legal safety requirements. The operator is responsible for the safety of its plant. The supervisory authority, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), monitors the plants on a permanent basis and can order a shutdown if safety is no longer assured.
Yes, the USA and Belgium, for example, are familiar with the political limitation of the operating life of nuclear power plants.
