Decommissioning study for the Beznau nuclear power plant (2 x 350 MW): the Swiss approach

On request of the Swiss Nuclear Regulatory Authority a comprehensive decommissioning study for the Beznau nuclear power plant was worked out in 1980. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of decommissioning and dismantling and to elaborate sound estimates for the amount and type of nuclear waste, the total collective dose, the cost and dismantling schedule. Two alternatives were studied, one starting the dismantling work two years after the final plant shutdown, the other starting the dismantling activities after a mothballing period of 30 years. The results confirmed, that present technology offers adequate dismantling techniques and that the work can be performed in accordance with the Swiss atomic law and regulations. Furthermore it can be concluded that neither the collective dose nor the cost of decommissioning are such as to jeopardize the over all benefits of commericalnuclear power in Switzerland. The conclusions are confirmed by the Swiss nuclear Regulatory Authority's assessment of the decommissioning study, issued in spring 1982. The study contributed to establish a clear position of the authority and the operators on the so far controversial issue of decommissioning in the nuclear debate. The study also helped to convince the authority that there is no incentive today to advocate one or the other decommissioning alternative. The choice has to be made for each specific case weighing all aspects involved at the time of final shutdown. 5 figures, 4 tables