LONDON: Two nuclear reactors in Switzerland have been taken offline after soaring temperatures in the River Aare reduced the effectiveness of the plant’s cooling system, highlighting the growing impact of Europe’s extreme heatwave on critical infrastructure.
Swiss energy company Axpo confirmed that both reactor units at the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant were fully shut down after operators gradually reduced their output earlier this week. The decision was made after the River Aare, which supplies cooling water to the facility, reached a temperature of 25°C (77°F).
According to Axpo, the warmer river water no longer provided sufficient cooling capacity to safely operate the reactors. Electricity production had already been scaled back to 50% before the company decided to suspend operations completely when temperatures continued to rise.
Located on an island in the River Aare near Döttingen, the Beznau plant has previously faced similar disruptions during periods of extreme summer heat. The reactors were also temporarily taken out of service in July 2025 due to elevated river temperatures.
The shutdown comes as Europe experiences an intense heatwave that has triggered red weather alerts, strained energy systems, and disrupted transport and public services across several countries.
A recent study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) concluded that the current heatwave is among the most severe ever recorded in Europe. Researchers said climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions has made such extreme temperatures significantly more likely and more intense than in previous decades.
The report also noted that heat levels now being recorded would have been virtually impossible half a century ago, underscoring the increasing challenges climate change poses to infrastructure, public health, and energy security.
As temperatures remain exceptionally high, authorities continue monitoring river conditions and weather forecasts before determining when the Beznau reactors can safely resume electricity generation.
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