Kernkraftwerk Zwentendorf

About the museum

On 4 April 1972 construction began in Zwentendorf an der Donau of Austria's first nuclear power plant, a boiling water reactor with a planned gross output of 730 megawatts. After about four years the plant was finished, and even the fuel elements were already stored on site.

At the same time, opposition grew: an initiative of anti-nuclear campaigners mobilised hundreds of thousands, and in 1977 mothers from Vorarlberg went on hunger strike in front of the Federal Chancellery. The government under Bruno Kreisky let the people decide – and in the Second Republic's first referendum on 5 November 1978, 50.47 percent voted against commissioning. In December the Atomsperrgesetz banned nuclear power plants in Austria.

The plant never went online; by the time of its liquidation in 1985 it had cost over a billion euros. Plans for a gas-fired power plant, a theme park or a museum were not realised. In 2005 the Lower Austrian energy supplier EVN took over the plant. Since then it has served as a training centre for the dismantling of nuclear power plants, as a film and event venue, and is shown on guided tours. The reactor, control rod drive room, condensation chamber and control room have been preserved in their original condition; a photovoltaic installation has also been built on the site.

Highlights

• Reactor pressure vessel and reactor building in original condition
• Control rod drive room beneath the reactor
• Control room of the plant that never went into operation
• Condensation chamber and dry storage for fuel elements
• Contemporary history of the 1978 referendum

Permanent exhibition

• AKW Tour – Two-hour tour through the power plant that was never put into operation, with the reactor building, control rod drive room, condensation chamber and control room.

Operated by

EVN Wärmekraftwerke GmbH (EVN AG)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The tours for individuals (max. 2 people per registration) and one weekly school tour are free of charge, but in high demand; places are released weekly on the online portal.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Tours for people with special needs are currently not offered; during the tour several floors must be climbed on foot via stairs. Sturdy footwear is required.

Kids & families

Not suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 15+

• Family tours & workshops: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

For safety reasons only young people aged 15 and over may take part in the tours. School classes can prepare in advance online with the "Superbrain" quiz.

Getting there & parking

The power plant is about 40 km from Vienna on the Danube; the website does not give directions.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 130 guests.

Seminar rooms in the administration building, the largest being the Bruno-Kreisky-Saal with terrace (up to 130 seats in cinema-style seating); exclusive nuclear power plant tours as a supporting programme; also usable as a film location.

Plan your visit