Description
Zwentendorf NPP –- the reactor that never went into operation
The Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant was the first nuclear plant built in Austria, of six nuclear plants originally envisaged. Construction of the plant began in April 1972, as a boiling-water reactor rated at 692 MWe power output. The plant was finished, but never went into operation. The startup of the Zwentendorf plant, and also the construction of the other five plants, was vetoed by a referendum on 5 November 1978. A narrow majority of 50.47% (i.e. with a margin of less than 1%) voted against the startup.
Since then, the plant has been partly dismantled. Today, the reactor is used to provide spare parts to three similar German reactors and to train foreign operators. Also, a solar power plant has been constructed on the premises.
Since 1978, Austria has had a law prohibiting fission reactors for electrical power generation.
During the tour, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see the reactor internals (including the core, control rod mechanism, detectors), which is no longer possible once a reactor becomes operational.
