With increasing calls to move away from nuclear power to green energy it was interesting to read a news item in the Swiss Review that BKW has announced it’s plans to decommission the Muehleberg nuclear power plant near Berne in December 2019.
This decision was taken for economical reason rather than to please the environmental lobby.
First the fuel rods have to be cooled down for 5 years.
After that they can start dismantling the plant of to make it free of nuclear materials expecting to take another 7 years.
The final demolition of the building should be completed by 2034.
15 years – 3 times as long as building it!
Estimated costs are CHF 800m with a further CHF 1.3 billion for disposal of nuclear waste.