Decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear power plants
GRI 103: Management approach (103-1, 103-2, 103-3)
Relevance
Guaranteeing safe operation and handling of radioactive materials includes the entire value chain and the lifecycle of nuclear power plants, from construction through to commissioning and decommissioning of the plants as well as their dismantling. In addition to the duties defined in the Nuclear Energy Act (KEG) and the Nuclear Energy Regulation (KEV), Alpiq is committed to its obligations, particularly as nuclear energy is an important pillar in Alpiq’s production portfolio of climate-friendly electricity.
Management approach
The financing for dismantling the nuclear power plants and for safe disposal of the radioactive waste is secured. To ensure the financial burden can be carried after the end of operations at a nuclear power plant, the nuclear power plant operators pay into the Decommissioning Fund for Nuclear Facilities and Waste Disposal Fund for Nuclear Power Plants (Stilllegungsfonds für Kernanlagen, Entsorgungsfonds für Kernkraftwerke – STENFO) on a continuous basis. The two funds are subject to federal supervision.
Assessment
The money is paid into the funds by Kernkraftwerk Gösgen-Däniken AG and Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG. In 2019 and 2020, KKG paid CHF 25.1 million, while in 2019 KKL paid CHF 34.6 million into the funds for decommissioning and disposal. As a shareholder in KKG and KKL, Alpiq pays a part of the annual costs in proportion to its share; this obviously includes the costs of decommissioning and dismantling.
The payments made into the funds are calculated on the basis of cost estimates made every five years for decommissioning and dismantling nuclear power plants and for disposing of nuclear waste in accordance with the Swiss Ordinance on the Decommissioning and Disposal Funds for Nuclear Power Plants (Verordnung über den Stilllegungs- und den Entsorgungsfonds für Kernanlagen – SEFV).
The most recent cost study is from 2016. An updated cost study, the 2021 cost study, will be submitted at the end of 2021. For further information, see the Annual Reports of KKG AG and KKL AG.