Switzerland

As of 31 December 2022

Switzerland has two reactors at Beznau, 30 km southwest of Zurich, one at Gösgen, 40 km southwest of Zurich and one at Leibstadt, 35 km northwest of Zurich. Together they generate up to 40% of the country’s electricity. The country has a policy of gradual withdrawal of nuclear power: no new reactors are to be built, but existing reactors may remain in operation as long as the regulator considers them safe.

In September 2022 following a 14-year site selection process, Switzerland's national radioactive waste disposal cooperative Nagra proposed Nördlich Lägern in northern Switzerland as the site of a deep geological repository. The repository for low-level and intermediate-level waste is planned to be in operation by 2050, with the high-level waste facility planned to be operational ten years later.

Figure Sz1. Annual electricity output (TWh) and age of reactors (years) at time of generation

Figure Sz2. Average capacity factor of reactors in Switzerland

Figure Sz3. Emissions avoidance through use of nuclear generation in Switzerland

WNN Links

Discussions due on proposed Swiss repository site : World Nuclear News - 23 January 2023

Polls find strong support for nuclear in UK and Switzerland : World Nuclear News - 10 March 2023