Beznau or never

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The control room. A replica was built in 2007 to be used for safety exercises and error simulation tests. Thomas Kern

Construction work began on an artificial island in the River Aare at Döttingen in the autumn of 1965. The first Swiss nuclear power plant became operational on December 24, 1969. Thomas Kern

Staff carrying out maintenance work above the reactor pool. Thomas Kern

A close-up of the control panel and indicator lights in the command centre of the nuclear power station. Thomas Kern

Video images of the reactor pool are transmitted to the control room. Thomas Kern

Protective clothing is mandatory in order to be clearly visible once inside the reactor zone. Visitors wear orange. Thomas Kern

Rubber gloves for additonal protection and marking tape for areas with potentially higher radioactivity in the reactor zone. Thomas Kern

Changing rooms and the security zone outside the reactor. Thomas Kern

Looking back at the security checkpoint from the reactor area. Thomas Kern

The reactor core is visible inside the open pressure vessel (left). A waiting booth for personnel in the event of an incident. Thomas Kern

There is extra protection inside a cupboard in the event of an incident in the reactor zone. Thomas Kern

Maintenance work near the turbines. Thomas Kern

The fuel rods are stored in a water pool while maintenance work is underway. Thomas Kern

The display indicates the performance, quality and amount left of the fuel rods. Thomas Kern

In the command centre of the nuclear power station. Thomas Kern

The red button for an emergency switch-off. Operations come to a halt within seconds. Thomas Kern

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A visit to Beznau 1, Switzerland's first nuclear power plant and the world's oldest pressurised water reactor still in service.

Every year the plant is subject to a thorough overhaul. The Axpo company wants to keep Beznau 1 running until at least 2023 and to take it off the grid once Beznau 3 is operational. (Pictures: Thomas Kern, swissinfo.ch)