in parallel with the planning of beznau 1, the then bernische kraftwerke ag decided to build a second nuclear power plant in the canton of berne. mühleberg was identified as possible location and the swiss federal office of energy (sfoe) approved this choice on 21 july 1965. two years later, on 21 march 1967, a first partial construction permit was issued, followed on 7 march 1968 by the final one.