The Swiss government has announced plans to overturn its ban on constructing new nuclear power plants, citing evolving geopolitical tensions and energy needs. Energy Minister Albert Roesti revealed that a proposal to amend nuclear legislation will be submitted by the end of 2024, allowing for parliamentary debate in the following year.
This marks a significant shift from Switzerland’s 2017 referendum, which approved a gradual phase-out of nuclear power and prohibited the construction of new plants. The policy change was initially prompted by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.
Roesti said that while new nuclear power is not a short or medium-term solution, it could be crucial for ensuring energy security in the long run.
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“To be ready, if it is necessary in the long term, in the next 15 years I would say, we must start now,” he said at the press conference.
Switzerland’s reconsideration of nuclear energy is driven by several factors, including increased geopolitical uncertainties, ambitious climate targets, and growing electricity demand due to population growth. The country’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as backed by voters in a recent climate bill, has also influenced this policy shift.
Currently, Switzerland’s four operational nuclear power plants generate approximately one-third of the nation’s electricity. These plants will continue to operate as long as they remain safe. However, concerns arise about filling the energy gap once these plants eventually close, with doubts about renewable energy’s capacity to meet demand fully.
The announcement has faced criticism from environmental organizations and certain political parties. Greenpeace Switzerland argues that new nuclear reactors would be too slow to effectively reduce carbon emissions and would not alleviate dependence on foreign energy sources.
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