9 Switzerland
Risks associated with implementing
a national energy strategy
Oscar van Vliet
Introduction
In the wake of the disaster in Fukushima, the Swiss government decided in
November 2011 that existing nuclear reactors would be used until no longer
serviceable and then replaced by renewable sources. One plant has since been
shut down and the other three, with a combined capacity of around 3 GW, are
to be closed by 2034.
Switzerland already has an almost carbon- free electricity supply because of its
many hydropower plants. Hydropower and other sources currently supply some
70% of Swiss electricity, which leaves around 30% of Swiss production to be
shifted from nuclear to renewables. This turnaround is part of the latest Swiss
Energy Strategy 2050 (ES2050). In addition to a climate target and a nuclear
phase out, Switzerland intends to reduce its long- standing reliance on foreign
fossil fuels, mostly oil for transportation and heating, as well as some natural gas.
Due to the unique Swiss system of direct democracy, any future expansion of
wind, solar, and hydropower requires that utilities, local and regional governments, NGOs, and companies in the renewable sector work together (see Swiss
direct democracy box and Figure 9.1). Crucially, many of the utilities are publicly
and domestically owned. As a result, large amounts of political discussion and
academic research have been carried out for the Swiss renewables transition
over the last five years, and the process of defining and implementing the
ES2050 is still ongoing.
Swiss direct democracy
The Swiss decision- making system is unique in that Switzerland is a confederation
with direct democracy. The confederation aspect – the country code CH stands
for its Latin name of Confoederatio Helvetica – is reflected in a very devolved
government. The municipalities and cantons (analogous to provinces, counties, or
states in other countries) retain a great deal of autonomy. For example, public holidays in Switzerland differ between cantons.
This autonomy stretches into the electricity sector in two ways: first, the
cantons have considerable discretion when implementing the federal energy law;
Risks associated with implementing
a national energy strategy
Oscar van Vliet
Introduction
In the wake of the disaster in Fukushima, the Swiss government decided in
November 2011 that existing nuclear reactors would be used until no longer
serviceable and then replaced by renewable sources. One plant has since been
shut down and the other three, with a combined capacity of around 3 GW, are
to be closed by 2034.
Switzerland already has an almost carbon- free electricity supply because of its
many hydropower plants. Hydropower and other sources currently supply some
70% of Swiss electricity, which leaves around 30% of Swiss production to be
shifted from nuclear to renewables. This turnaround is part of the latest Swiss
Energy Strategy 2050 (ES2050). In addition to a climate target and a nuclear
phase out, Switzerland intends to reduce its long- standing reliance on foreign
fossil fuels, mostly oil for transportation and heating, as well as some natural gas.
Due to the unique Swiss system of direct democracy, any future expansion of
wind, solar, and hydropower requires that utilities, local and regional governments, NGOs, and companies in the renewable sector work together (see Swiss
direct democracy box and Figure 9.1). Crucially, many of the utilities are publicly
and domestically owned. As a result, large amounts of political discussion and
academic research have been carried out for the Swiss renewables transition
over the last five years, and the process of defining and implementing the
ES2050 is still ongoing.
Swiss direct democracy
The Swiss decision- making system is unique in that Switzerland is a confederation
with direct democracy. The confederation aspect – the country code CH stands
for its Latin name of Confoederatio Helvetica – is reflected in a very devolved
government. The municipalities and cantons (analogous to provinces, counties, or
states in other countries) retain a great deal of autonomy. For example, public holidays in Switzerland differ between cantons.
This autonomy stretches into the electricity sector in two ways: first, the
cantons have considerable discretion when implementing the federal energy law;