A heat wave has forced Switzerland to shut down one of its nuclear power plant units. The restriction was introduced due to excessive heating of the water used to cool the reactors.
Switzerland has shut down Unit 1 of its Benzau nuclear power plant due to abnormally high temperatures. The plant's operator, Axpo, said the water used to cool the reactors was becoming too hot, posing a risk to the environment.
Deutsche Welle reports this.
Reason for stopping: ecosystem protection
Water from the nearby Aare River is used to cool the Benzau nuclear power plant, and is returned there after passing through the plant. However, under current conditions, the water returned to the river while cooling the reactors was too hot. The water temperature in the Aare exceeded 25 degrees, which, according to safety requirements, requires the operation of the nuclear power plant to be restricted.
“These measures are aimed at protecting the ecosystem and complying with strict environmental standards,” Axpo explained.
Impact of abnormal heat on European nuclear power plants
A similar situation has been observed in Benzau before. In 2022, Swiss nuclear power plants were shut down when Europe was also hit by abnormal heat.
This is not an isolated case. France was also forced to limit the operation of its nuclear power plants due to high temperatures. This situation highlights the growing challenges for nuclear power in the context of climate change and increasing heat waves.
Let us recall that there are already fatalities due to the dangerous heat wave in Europe. In particular, a small boy died in Spain, probably due to heat stroke.
