– Renewable electricity, the key to prosperity
The elected socialist Roger Nordmann explains why he supports the energy law fought by a referendum which will be put to a vote on June 9.
Roger Nordmann – National Advisor
Posted today at 6:27 a.m.
One thing is crystal clear: electricity is the key to prosperity and climate protection. In the years to come, our country will need more electricity to replace that produced by aging nuclear power plants, to power heat pumps, to power cars and to decarbonize industry. It is therefore essential to strengthen the production of this precious energy. This is the objective of the law on security of electricity supply thanks to renewable energies, put to the vote on June 9. Concretely, this text sets up three main pillars.
The first pillar is the strengthening of hydroelectricity, especially for seasonal storage, because it is the most environmentally friendly mode of conservation, with a yield of 100%. The second pillar is photovoltaics, because it is very popular in our country and very well accepted on roofs and in infrastructure. It now provides 10% of electricity, with this figure currently increasing by 2% per year. Finally, the third pillar is efficiency, because the energy saved is both the cheapest and the least risky.
Today, we must invest to produce the electricity of tomorrow, just as our grandparents once built the big dams or our parents the Alpine transversals. Energy security is at stake, but also the gradual reduction of gas and oil purchases, which cost the astronomical sum of 22 billion in 2022!
To make this qualitative leap, the law improves planning and directs funds towards investment. There is no increase in the so-called “RPC” financing tax. On the other hand, the purchase of electricity is moving away from the stock market and favors long-term contracts which make it possible to finance investments while guaranteeing a fair price to end consumers. Parliament therefore worked constructively, like the Federal Council in the previous phase. The law comes from the round table on hydraulic energy, launched by former Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga, in which future Federal Councilor Albert Rösti also participated.
Overcoming blockages
In the field of energy infrastructure, it is vital to project ourselves into the future, while making concessions and compromises. It is in this spirit that the law was unanimously adopted in the Council of States and widely accepted in the National Council. The question posed by this energy referendum is simple: do we want to improve the situation, pragmatically, or do nothing? On June 9, it will be important to overcome the blockages to say yes to the solutions.
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