Closing of Barsebäck 2 - background

This is a short retrospective review of the legislations and governmental decisions leading to the closing of the nuclear reactor Barsebäck 2.

A referendum on nuclear energy in Sweden was held on 23 March 1980.
The outcome of the vote was that the twelve planned nuclear reactors were to be completed but thereafter phased out at a feasible rate taking into consideration the need of electric power to maintain employment and welfare.

The same year, 1980, the Riksdag therefore decided to compete the expansion to twelve reactors on condition that nuclear energy would be phased out by 2010.

In 1996 the Government established the goal of closing the two nuclear power reactors at Barsebäck.

In 1997 the Riksdag adopted the Nuclear Power Phase-Out Act. The Act allows the Government to decide that the right to operate a nuclear power reactor is to cease to apply at a point in time determined by the Government.

On 5 February 1998 the Government decided that, pursuant to the Nuclear Power Phase-Out Act, Barsebäck 1 was to shut down in June 1998. The action was temporarily delayed due to an appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court, but after the Court declared that the Government's decision was to stand the reactor was shut down on 30 November 1999.

In December 2004 the Government decided to close Barsebäck 2 as well. The date for closing the plant was set for 31 May 2005.