Some 16 percent of the German electricity generation capacity is installed in nuclear power plants. But nuclear power plants produce about 25% of the generated electricity. This is due to the fact that nuclear power plants are able to supply electricity around the clock – and in a zero-CO₂ and low-cost manner at that.

Meeting the highest requirements

RWE has been operating nuclear power plants since the 1960s. Adhering to our high safety standards – which are regarded as exemplary on an international scale – is our first priority, to which nuclear research and development work is making an important contribution. We are working on key issues such as plant safety, fuel utilization, materials, integrity and ageing management and we are promoting the development of more reliable detection methods, more robust components and innovative safety devices.

Successful exchange of experiences 

In doing so, we are collaborating with numerous partners. VGB Power Tech e.V., the Technical Association of Large Power Plant Operators, integrates and assists research projects of several operators and selectively supports universities and research institutions. Apart from the preservation and development of the nuclear engineering expertise that exists in research and development, training is also of central importance. RWE participates in the funding of 3 nuclear engineering chairs at the University of Aachen (RWTH Aachen) and sponsors post-graduate students at various research institutions.

Keeping the option of nuclear energy open

We are active in European new-build projects where we benefit from our expertise and our research and development network. As early as the project phase we lay the foundations needed for a high level of safety and ensure that our standards are met. In view of typical operating lives of 60 years, we are shaping the safe use of nuclear energy in the decades to come already today.

And we think even further ahead – by collaborating on the “Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform”, which is funded by the European Commission, we are contributing to the development of new technologies that permit the range of nuclear fuel to be significantly increased and the amount of long-lived nuclear waste to be substantially reduced.

You want to know more? Please find more information on this topic in our infotheque.