Sweden shuts down last reactor at Barseback

A controversial nuclear power station in south-western Sweden was finally being shut down today, decades after Swedes voted to phase out atomic energy.

The final reactor at the Barseback plant, across a narrow waterway from the Danish capital, was to be closed down at midnight (11pm Irish time), cutting the electricity flowing from the plant. The long-planned move follows a court decision not to hear arguments from Swedish citizens who alleged the shutdown was illegal.