Nuclear Plant Outage Costs Swiss Energy Giants Millions

The Gösgen nuclear power plant, a crucial component of Switzerland's energy infrastructure, has been disconnected from the grid since May 24, 2025. This extended outage, now projected to last until February 2026, represents a significant disruption to Switzerland's power generation capacity. The facility, which typically provides approximately 13% of Switzerland's electricity consumption, has left a substantial gap in the nation's energy production that needs to be addressed through alternative sources.

The prolonged shutdown has triggered significant financial repercussions for the plant's major stakeholders. Alpiq, the main shareholder with a 40% stake, projects losses between CHF 140-160 million in its 2025 operating business result. Axpo, holding a 25% share, anticipates an income reduction of CHF 150-170 million spread across the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years. These substantial financial impacts highlight the economic importance of the facility's reliable operation to Switzerland's energy sector.

The extended shutdown stems from concerns regarding the plant's feedwater pipework system. The operator must provide comprehensive evidence addressing potential overload scenarios before resuming operations. This process requires thorough inspection and approval from the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (Ensi), demonstrating Switzerland's commitment to maintaining strict safety standards in its nuclear facilities. The extended timeline reflects the complexity of the technical assessments and necessary remediation measures.

With the Gösgen plant's annual production of 8 billion kilowatt hours temporarily unavailable, Switzerland faces challenges in maintaining its energy security. This situation occurs at a critical time when the country is debating the future of nuclear power, with recent government discussions about potentially authorizing new nuclear power plants. The extended outage serves as a practical case study in the broader discussion about energy diversity and security in Switzerland's power generation portfolio.