Nuclear power plants The focus of nuclear research remains the continued operation of existing nuclear power plants

According to nuclear researchers, the focus of Swiss nuclear research remains the continued operation of existing reactors. Even after the Federal Council's decision to lift the ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants.

Andreas Pautz, Head of the Nuclear Energy and Safety Research Division at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen AG, told the media on Thursday that as long as the reactors continue to operate, this will be necessary. The aim is to guarantee the safe continued operation of nuclear power plants and the next generation of experts in the nuclear sector.

So far, no major direct influence of the latest political decisions on nuclear research has been observed.

"However, we would be prepared to do more," said Pautz. He criticized the fact that research into new reactor types in particular was having a difficult time in Switzerland. The federal government does not fund this research. "Without EU funding, we would not be able to conduct research into fourth-generation reactors," said the researcher.