Switzerland will be free to build new nuclear power plants

The Federal Council on Friday put out for consultation a counter-project to the popular initiative “Electricity for all at all times (Stop the blackout)”.

While the initiators wish to enshrine in the Federal Constitution that “all climate-friendly methods of electricity production are authorized”, including the construction of new nuclear power plants, the Federal Council opposes their initiative. He does not consider it necessary to modify the Constitution or the distribution of powers between the Confederation and the cantons, induced by the text.

The counter-project

With its counter-proposal, put out for consultation until April 3, the Federal Council instead wishes to modify the law on nuclear energy, so that new power plants can once again be approved in Switzerland.

The Federal Council justifies this project by the expected increase in electricity consumption in Switzerland in the years to come, due to demographic growth and the acceleration of the energy transition. The government recalls that the Swiss voted in 2017 for a gradual phase-out of nuclear power. However, he emphasizes that geopolitical conditions have evolved, notably because of the war in Ukrainewhich highlighted the risks of relying on electricity imports in winter.

Priority to renewable energies

The Federal Council’s draft plans to remove the current bans on the granting of new licenses for nuclear power plants. The objective is to develop an energy policy open to all technologies, including nuclear, while maintaining priority on the development of renewable energies and the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings, industrial processes, and transport.

The use of nuclear energy would only be considered if renewable energies and progress in electricity storage are not sufficient to cover the country’s energy needs in a climate-friendly manner.

The Federal Council specifies thatno nuclear power plant construction project is currently planned. Therefore, concrete questions, such as financing or completion deadlines, do not arise at the moment. (mbr/ats)

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