A potential shift in Switzerland’s energy policy is raising concerns about the country’s commitment to renewable energy goals. The Federal Council’s consideration of lifting a ban on new nuclear power plant construction is already casting a shadow over investments in solar, wind, and hydropower projects, according to a new analysis released Tuesday. The Swiss Energy Foundation (SES) warns that revisiting nuclear energy could significantly delay Switzerland’s energy transition and jeopardize targets set in the recently approved Electricity Act of 2024.
When new nuclear power plants are considered, investment in renewable energy suffers.Bild: sda
Switzerland’s energy transition could be delayed if the government lifts a ban on building new nuclear power plants, according to a new analysis released Tuesday. Even the possibility of new nuclear construction is already discouraging investment in renewable energy sources, hindering the country’s ability to meet its ambitious climate goals.
The Federal Council intends to remove the construction ban from the Nuclear Energy Act. The Swiss Energy Foundation (SES) argues that the government’s message to Parliament fails to adequately address the consequences of this shift over the next 20 years – a critical period for expanding renewable energy capacity.
The SES policy analysis examined three scenarios, ranging from no new nuclear plant projects to state co-financing of a new facility. All three scenarios predict a slowdown in investment for the energy transition, as market actors become hesitant to fund expansion of solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as battery storage.
Electricity Law Targets at Risk
The analysis found that Switzerland would miss its renewable energy expansion targets as outlined in the Electricity Act, approved in 2024, under all three scenarios. In the most pessimistic scenario, photovoltaic expansion would fall 30 percent short of its 2045 goals.
Solar panels above Klosters. Bild: keystone
Redirecting approximately 0.5 Rappen per kilowatt-hour from the grid surcharge fund to new nuclear construction would remove those funds from supporting the development of more affordable renewable energy sources, the SES stated. This would increase the cost and delay the timeline for the energy transition, and potentially jeopardize supply security.
The foundation argues that lifting the construction ban is not a viable long-term solution. The SES study highlights how the decision could undermine progress toward a sustainable energy future.
Nuclear and Renewables are Incompatible
The policy study also found that nuclear power and renewable energy are not compatible. Building new nuclear plants is fraught with technological, regulatory, financial, and temporal uncertainties. “These uncertainties have a ripple effect on the expansion of safe and reliable renewable energies,” the report states.
According to the SES, Switzerland needs a clear and reliable energy policy. The foundation is urging the federal parliament to maintain the nuclear construction ban and ensure planning security for the expansion targets approved by voters. (leo/sda)
