Germany clears 99% radioactivity as nuclear fuel leaves Brokdorf site

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant in Germany has reached a significant milestone in its decommissioning process with the removal of the last CASTOR cask containing spent nuclear fuel. Operated by PreussenElektra, the company responsible for the shutdown, the site is now 99 percent free of radioactivity. The plant, which housed a 1,410 MWe pressurized water reactor, was shut down on December 31, 2021, and since 2023, 764 fuel assemblies have been carefully extracted and transferred to an interim storage facility. This removal of the radioactive core is a critical step that enables further dismantling activities. Following the fuel removal, the plant can begin shutting down additional systems and reduce operational staff, whose expertise will be redirected to dismantling the reactor pressure vessel internals, scheduled to start in spring 2025. Preparations include clearing the spent fuel area to create necessary storage and handling zones and constructing a transport preparation hall, which requires official permits before