The use of nuclear energy ended two years ago, but major tasks remain: The shut-down nuclear power plants must be dismantled by the energy supply companies.

“The phase-out of nuclear power, which was initiated with a broad political majority and completed two years ago now, has made Germany safer and also provided a good foundation for the search for a safe repository,” says BASEPresident Christian Kühn. “Because the amount of waste is calculable, namely around 1,750 casks, the search for the scientifically best possible site can be conducted fairly, transparently and without dispute over possible new waste – this consensus is still needed so that future generations can live safely and protected from the dangerous legacies of nuclear power utilisation.”

Even though no NPP has produced electricity for two years, much work remains to be done in the facilities. What is the status of dismantling at the most recently shut down NPPs? An overview.

At the Isar 2 nuclear power plant, a Decontamination of a component using the high-pressure water jet process in the Central Active Workshop of the primary circuit was carried out in 2024 – often a first step towards dismantling the facility. Special chemicals, e.g. acid, are used to remove radioactive layers from the plant components. In the spent fuel pool of Isar 2, all fuel elements are still cooling down. The application for the dismantling of the reactor pressure vessel and biological shield has been submitted.

At the Neckarwestheim 2 nuclear power plant, the primary circuit was decontaminated in the summer of 2023. The fuel elements are still in the spent fuel pool. Initial dismantling work has begun, including the separation of the reactor coolant circuit pipes.

At the Emsland nuclear power plant, the primary circuit decontamination took place in March 2024. Here, too, the fuel elements are still cooling down in the spent fuel pool.

For the three facilities shut down on 31 December 2021, the status of dismantling is as follows: 

At the Gundremmingen nuclear power plant, all remaining fuel elements are located in the spent fuel pool of Unit C. Units B and C are currently being dismantled.

In the Grohnde and Brokdorf nuclear power plants, the primary circuits have been decontaminated. At the Brokdorf nuclear power plant, the reactor core has already been unloaded; the fuel elements are now being successively moved from the spent fuel pool to the interim storage facility. Special transport and storage casks are used for this.

Video: BASE President Kühn on nuclear phase-out and final disposal (in German)

BASE-Präsident Kühn spricht zum Atomausstieg und zur Endlagerung