Rheinsberg: Dismantling of the nuclear power plant runs until 2040!

Rheinsberg: Dismantling of the nuclear power plant runs until 2040!

The Rheinsberg nuclear power plant, once a pride of the GDR, is now a relic from the past in the dense deciduous forest of Brandenburg. After being shut down in 1990, the dismantling began, which, however, turns out to be a lengthy and complicated process. The operator, the EWN waste disposal plant for Nuclear Anlagen GmbH, has already invested over 700 million euros in dismantling, which costs around 30 million euros annually. The site is said to be completely dismantled by 2040, but many residents are dissatisfied with slow progress.

dismantling with obstacles

The dismantling work is characterized by tedious small steps. All building structures must be examined and decontaminated for radioactive contamination, which often takes months. "Sometimes to disassemble a door takes a month," explains a spokeswoman for the EWN. The construction plans from the 1960s often do not match reality, which causes additional delays. The dismantling of a nuclear system is extremely complex and requires strict safety precautions.

The last fuel elements were already transported to the Lubmin intermediate camp in 2001, and the reactor followed in 2007. The entire process is monitored by the federal company for final storage, which currently examines suitable locations for the final storage of highly radioactive waste. The residents complain that despite the high costs and the long waiting times, there are hardly any progress on the outside. "We are not a frit booth," comments a worker of the work.