Unit 2 of the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant is back online after refuelling
Karlsruhe. Unit 2 of the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Plant (GKN II) was put back online on Thursday evening following the successfully completed refuelling. The unit had been taken offline last weekend by the operator, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, as a precautionary measure. The decisive factor for taking this step was the safety-oriented behaviour of EnBW, which is reflected by its guiding principle ‘safety before profitability’.
The reason for the refuelling was a defect on one of the 193 fuel elements. It was determined that the control rod associated with this fuel element can be pulled out of the element with just slightly more power. The fuel element in question will be examined to determine the cause.
A duty to inform as defined in the Meldeordnung (AtSMV) did not and does not exist. The Supervisory Authority has been informed of the defect and the steps subsequently taken.