News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Switzerland votes against strict timetable for nuclear power phase out. Parent comment

Re:Switzerland votes against strict timetable for nuclear po... by Broken_Hippo on Sunday November 27, 2016 @03:37PM (#13051365)
"They run the OLDEST nuclear reactor of the world"

This is prudent and a wise financial choice, and it might be a hint why they are one of the richest countries in the world. No need to replace this simply because it is old: Rather, that an upgrade would pay for itself or mechanical reasoning. However, I'd assume there is regular testing and maintenance done to avoid some of the mechanical reasoning.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Switzerland votes against strict timetable for nuclear po... by config_yml on Sunday November 27, 2016 @03:56PM (#13051487)
It's not a wise financial choice, since they currently generate a net loss of 1 billion each year, with no better prospects for the next 10 years. They companies running the reactors even tried to give them away for free to Électricité de France, with no luck. I am against ruling out nuclear tech, like this initiative wanted, but the current state of nuclear power in Switzerland is a debacle. Ultimately the state will have to to pay for the shutdown anyway, be it now or in 2025. It would have been a wise financial choice to shut them down now.
[ Parent | on HN ]