Germany's Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant Completes Defueling Milestone
Germany’s Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has successfully completed the defueling process, marking a significant milestone in its decommissioning journey led by PreussenElektra. The plant, which ceased operations in December 2021, began formal dismantling in January 2024 after receiving permits from the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy & Climate Protection. Since 2023, a total of 694 fuel elements were transferred from the storage pool into CASTOR containers and moved to an interim storage facility. Plant manager Jörg Bornemann highlighted that becoming nuclear fuel-free allows for further technical adjustments, including reduced staffing and the upcoming disassembly of reactor internals scheduled for late this year. To support ongoing efforts, new infrastructure such as a transport provision hall has been constructed to handle low and medium-level radioactive waste. The comprehensive dismantling project is expected to conclude by 2039, at which point the site will be cleared for subsequent use. Currently, approximately 500 employees remain on-site to manage the complex decommissioning tasks. This development underscores the progressive steps taken in Germany's nuclear phase-out strategy.
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Germany's Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant Completes Defueling Milestone
Germany’s Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has successfully completed the defueling process, marking a significant milestone in its decommissioning journey led by PreussenElektra. The plant, which ceased operations in December 2021, began formal dismantling in January 2024 after receiving permits from the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy & Climate Protection. Since 2023, a total of 694 fuel elements were transferred from the storage pool into CASTOR containers and moved to an interim storage facility. Plant manager Jörg Bornemann highlighted that becoming nuclear fuel-free allows for further technical adjustments, including reduced staffing and the upcoming disassembly of reactor internals scheduled for late this year. To support ongoing efforts, new infrastructure such as a transport provision hall has been constructed to handle low and medium-level radioactive waste. The comprehensive dismantling project is expected to conclude by 2039, at which point the site will be cleared for subsequent use. Currently, approximately 500 employees remain on-site to manage the complex decommissioning tasks. This development underscores the progressive steps taken in Germany's nuclear phase-out strategy.
Nuclear Engineering International