Executive Summary

The Federal Commission for Nuclear Safety (KNS) has published its 2025 activity report. The focus was on Nagra's framework approval applications for the geological deep repository and the spent fuel packaging facility, submitted at the end of 2024. The KNS carried out an evaluation of the application documents and exchanged information with Nagra and ENSI. Additionally, the commission addressed competency retention in the nuclear energy sector in light of generational change and skilled labor shortages. The KNS issued statements on safety reports from nuclear power plants and the ENSI Council.

Persons

  • (No individuals named)

Topics

  • Nuclear safety
  • Radioactive waste disposal
  • Geological deep repository
  • Nuclear energy legislation and regulation
  • Skilled labor shortage in nuclear technology

Clarus Lead

The publication of the KNS report coincides with a critical phase of the Swiss disposal project: Nagra's framework approval applications are currently undergoing regulatory review, the success of which will determine Switzerland's future capacity to act in nuclear energy. In parallel, the KNS warns of structural challenges – generational change and skilled labor shortages – that could jeopardize technical expertise in this sector. This makes clear that addressing the disposal question is not only a technical matter but also a personnel resources issue.

Detailed Summary

The KNS focused its 2025 work on evaluating the two central framework approval applications that Nagra submitted at the end of 2024. The commission systematically analyzed the application documents and associated reference reports to develop well-founded statements for the regulatory review process. In parallel, the KNS conducted substantive discussions with Nagra and the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) – a sign of intensive coordination among the actors.

A second work priority was long-term capacity issues. The KNS identified two critical risks: generational change in the professional workforce and general skilled labor shortages in the nuclear energy sector. These structural problems could jeopardize the technical expertise necessary for safe operational oversight and future projects. The commission therefore monitored current developments in safety culture at Swiss nuclear facilities in consultation with operators.

Additionally, the KNS issued statements on several regulatory reports: on the 2024 activity and business report of the ENSI Council (for submission to UVEK), on the 2024 annual safety reports of all Swiss nuclear power plants, and on ENSI's 2024 supervisory report. The KNS functions as a standing extra-parliamentary commission with eight members and its own technical secretariat. Its tasks include monitoring the state of science and technology, reviewing fundamental safety questions, participating in the issuance of regulations, and issuing statements to licensing authorities.

Key Findings

  • The KNS is in an intensive evaluation phase of the two framework approval applications for the deep repository and packaging facility.
  • Structural challenges (generational change, skilled labor shortages) threaten long-term competency retention in the nuclear energy sector.
  • The commission coordinates closely with Nagra and ENSI and continuously assesses the safety culture at Swiss nuclear facilities.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What specific deficiencies or gaps in Nagra's application documents did the KNS identify during its evaluation, and how are these documented in the statements?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How does the KNS ensure its independence when simultaneously engaging in "substantive discussions" with Nagra (the applicant) and ENSI (the reviewing authority)?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Are generational change and skilled labor shortages primarily consequences of the energy transition and nuclear phase-out, or do structural deficiencies exist in training and succession planning?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: How concrete are the KNS's measures to secure the skilled workforce base, and what scenarios does the commission plan for if competency retention fails?

  5. Data Quality: The report provides no figures on skilled labor gaps or age structure – on what data are the statements about generational change based?

  6. Causality: To what extent do international developments (e.g., nuclear energy renaissance in other countries) influence the emigration of Swiss skilled workers?

Sources

Primary Source: 2025 Activity Report of the Federal Commission for Nuclear Safety (KNS) – www.kns.admin.ch

Verification Status: ✓ 09.04.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 09.04.2026