Decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear power plants
Management approach
GRI 103
(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 energy plants, from construction through to commissioning and decommissioning of the facilities as well as their dismantling. In accordance with the conditions 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 the Alpiq production portfolio for climate-friendly electricity.
Management approach
The financing for dismantling 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 und 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 2020 and 2021, respectively, KKG paid CHF 34.1 million, while KKL paid CHF 43.2 million into the funds for decommissioning and waste disposal. As a shareholder in KKG and KKL, Alpiq pays part of the annual costs in proportion to its share; this obviously includes the costs of financing decommissioning and waste disposal activities.
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. At the end of 2021, an updated cost study was submitted in the form of Cost Study 21, which is now being reviewed and assessed by STENFO. For further information, see the Annual Reports of KKG AG and KKL AG.