2020–2021

Interim Storage 2 is completed and used for low-level radioactive waste. The turbine strings at Barsebäck 1 and Barsebäck 2 have been dismantled, and the reactor vessel at Barsebäck 1 has also been dismounted and separated into parts that are being stored in Interim Storage 1 until such a time that they can be processed within the framework of the Swedish system for handling radioactive waste.

2016–2019

A core component storage facility is built in the Barsebäck area. The facility will hold the reactor’s core components in a manner that protects the environment and staff from radiation, until such a time that the materials can be transported to another storage facility. The components are sawn apart, placed in steel tanks and moved to the storage facility. This is a necessary step, before the plant’s main demolition operations can begin.

2015–2016

Uniper (then Eon Kärnkraft Sverige), which has been the sole proprietor of plant’s land and buildings, purchases the plant operator, Barsebäck Kraft AB, from Ringhals/Vattenfall.

2006–2007

The last of the fuel elements are removed from Barsebäck and service operations commence – the plant is to be managed until such time as demolition can begin.

1999–2005

Barsebäck is decommissioned following a political decision. Barsebäck Kraft AB becomes a subsidiary of Ringhals AB/Vattenfall. The former owner, Eon, receives a holding in Ringhals as compensation.

1999

Greenpeace breaks into the plant and initiates a demonstration against nuclear power.

1992

During testing of the plant following its summer intermission, an erroneous construction causes insulation materials to fall into a pool, clogging a strainer vital to reactor safety. The fault is found to exist in several reactors in Sweden and the insulation of containment building interiors is immediately replaced.

1981

Following an accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Harrisburg, USA, the Swedish Parliament resolves that all 12 nuclear power plants in Sweden should be equipped with extra safety filters. The installation of Barsebäck’s filters is completed in 1985 and for the other plants, in 1988.

1980

On March 23, the Swedish populace heads for the ballot boxes to vote on nuclear power. It is not a question of whether nuclear power should be phased out, but when. The very similar and most pro-nuclear power ballot papers, line 1 and 2, jointly receive 58% of the votes. Following the referendum, the Swedish Parliament resolves that the nuclear power plants that are under construction should be completed. No new construction is to take place and nuclear power is to be phased out in Sweden by no later than 2010.

1979

At Barsebäck 1, a generator breaks down, causing a fire, which becomes the most serious incident ever to occur at the plant. No one is hurt, but the material destruction in the turbine hall is extensive. Although this is not a nuclear accident, it is a technical failure with serious consequences for the plant’s operations. Five months after the fire, the plant is operational again, with a generator borrowed from Forsmark.

1977

Barsebäck 2 (B2) is commissioned on March 21.

1975

Barsebäck 1 (B1) is commissioned on May 15.

1969

Plant owner, Sydkraft, inaugurates the site for the construction of the nuclear power plant at Barsebäck. Six boiling water reactors are initially planned, of which two come to be realized.

1965

On December 10, the Board of Directors of Sydkraft resolve to purchase land for a new power plant. The price is SEK 9.5 million and the seller is Count Ian Hamilton, owner of Barsebäck entailed estate. Barsebäck was chosen for several reasons: the sparse population within a 5-kilometer zone around the planned site, a single landowner, proximity to existing 400 kV power lines and electricity consumers, and the opportunity to deliver hot water to Lund and Malmö.

Find out more

Facts and technical data relating to Barsebäcksverket’s two decommissioned reactors.

Some insight into how we dismantle a nuclear power plant.

The method used for generating electricity in a nuclear power plant is the same as with a coal power plant or a bioenergy power plant.

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