Swiss energy company Axpo intends to continue operating the Beznau nuclear power station until 2033 and will invest CHF350m (€376, $395m) in the facility, which has been in operation since 1969 and is one of the oldest to still be in service.

Axpo said in a statement on 5 December that Unit 2 at Beznau will remain in service until 2032 and Unit 1 until 2033.

Both units will then be permanently shut down and decommissioned.

Beznau-1 began commercial operation in 1969 and Beznau-2 in 1972. By final shutdown, Beznau-1 will have been operating for 64 years and Beznau-2 for 60 years.