A Review of Fast Reactor Activities in Switzerland. March 1987

In 1986, public acceptance of nuclear energy in Switzerland suffered a set-back as never before. In response to the Chernobyl accident two new antinuclear initiatives have been launched, and, for the first time, public pressure has succeeded in forcing the Federal authorities to consider scenarios which point towards the phasing out of nuclear energy at the end of the useful life of the existing power plants. It should however be emphasized that the technical success of nuclear energy in Switzerland cannot be disputed. The five operating plants, which contribute 40 % to the total electricity production, continue to have a good safety record and a high availability. Nevertheless, in view of the political difficulties with the future nuclear construction programme, the electricity companies have increased their investment in French power plants, bringing the total imported electricity to the equivalent of that from a 1300 MWe unit