Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant
Annual revision of Mühleberg nuclear power plant completed
Bern (ots)
The Swiss supervisory authority ENSI (Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate) has authorised the repowering of Mühleberg nuclear power plant (KKM). The facility had been closed since 10 August 2014 for the annual maintenance work. During this time staff replaced fuel elements and carried out maintenance work as well as upgrades.
All the work was performed successfully, meeting all safety targets. 36 of the 240 fuel elements were replaced and extensive preventive work was carried out on components, fittings and systems. An inspection of the core shroud revealed short vertical cracks along a horizontal weld. A technical assessment showed that these had no effect on the plant's successful repowering and the operational safety. The KKM has informed the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) of this finding. The core shroud inspection programme will be continued in the course of the 2015 annual revision, when ultrasonic testing will be carried out.
During the last operating cycle the KKM generated a gross volume of 3112 GWh - the third-largest electricity output since 1972.
For more information on the core shroud, visit: http://bkw.ch/kernmantel.html (in German and French)
Contact:
Murielle Clerc
media@bkw.ch
058 477 51 07