Two thirds of the Swiss respondents want to relax nature conservation in favor of electricity production in the Alps. Only 42 percent are for new nuclear power plants. The GfS survey on energy policy also provides a surprising insight into European policy.
According to a survey, the population is much less critical of new reservoirs in the Alps (pictured is the Spitallamm dam on the Grimsel) than are conservationists and environmentalists.
The energy transition is faltering. In the next thirty years, Switzerland will need much more electricity than was assumed in the 2050 energy strategy. In addition, it was assumed at the time that the electricity deficit could be offset with imports. But with the breakdown of the negotiations on the framework and electricity agreement, Switzerland can no longer rely on getting enough electricity from its neighbors.
At the same time, a word appeared in public discourse that until recently was probably only known to officials in the Federal Office for Civil Protection: the power shortage. Two days without electricity – in the worst case, Switzerland could experience this as early as 2025. This is what it said in autumn 2021 in a study commissioned by the federal government.
The problem has now arrived in politics. For months now, the Energy Commission of the Council of States has been brooding over Federal Council proposals on how the situation could be defused. The situation is muddled: the various camps are currently showing little willingness to compromise. And the councilors of states are afraid of jeopardizing the bill by using it like the CO2-Law overloaded.
Use polls to put pressure on politicians
The Commission is discussing stronger subsidies for renewables, new funding instruments and relaxation of environmental protection. Given these sensitive issues, a referendum is likely. In order to know a little better how voters think about these questions, the electricity industry commissioned GfS Bern to conduct a survey. The timing of the publication has been cleverly chosen: the Council of States Commission will soon be making important decisions.
The interviews were conducted in April, a few weeks after the Russian military invaded Ukraine. This may be one of the reasons why the respondents give security of supply much more weight than cheap electricity prices and climate-neutral production. The higher emphasis on care began with the pandemic, study author Peter Bieri said at a media conference on Tuesday.
In order to make faster progress with the construction of new hydroelectric power plants, solar systems and wind farms, the electricity industry is demanding concessions when it comes to environmental protection. On this point, the respondents were open – and surprisingly clear. 67 percent are in favor of making significant cuts in environmental protection in order to increase the production of renewable energy. Michael Frank, Director of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE), said he hopes that this clear signal will reach the politicians. In view of these answers, Parliament should be more courageous.
But there are also those for whom the energy transition should not be used as an excuse to spoil undeveloped natural areas. However, the approval here is less clear at 59 percent. This attitude is particularly widespread among the sympathizers of the SVP and the center.
For new dams on former glaciers
According to the survey, there is practically no longer any resistance to photovoltaics among the population. 95 percent of those surveyed tended to or very much agree with solar systems on existing structures such as motorways or dams, as well as on all suitable roofs and facades. The construction of reservoirs in areas where glaciers used to be was also approved (65 percent). This gives impetus to projects such as the new reservoir below the Gornergrat near Zermatt. An artificial dam is to be built there in a narrow gorge that was uncovered by the melting of the Gorner Glacier. Perhaps the Foundation for Landscape Protection, which is fighting the project, should reconsider its position.
As soon as nature is more noticeably affected, majorities become scarcer. Large photovoltaic systems on open meadows in the mountains still support 51 percent. At least 55 percent agree with wind turbines on hills that you can see from your own balcony. A study just published by the university provides new insights into how the widespread resistance to the construction of wind turbines could be mitigated: In experiments, the researchers found that such projects are more likely to be accepted if those affected see a picture of a landscape with the wind turbine than they do same landscape without such a visualization. However, it remains unclear to what extent these results can be transferred to reality, as the study authors themselves concede.
The future of electricity lies in water and solar energy
The survey also gives a clear picture of another major contentious issue in energy policy, the restriction of complaints against building projects. 70 percent of those surveyed are very or somewhat in favor of restricting these options in order to accelerate expansion. Even the sympathizers of the Greens and SP agree with that for the most part.
Subsidies and tax incentives for renewable energies received very high support from left to right. Incentive taxes are also supported by the supporters of all parties. This is in contrast to the rejected CO2law, which also failed because of the incentive taxes. VSE Director Frank sees a possible reason for the discrepancy in the fact that the CO2-Law only part of the revenue would have been refunded. In principle, however, the same applies here: surveys are not votes.
Those surveyed see the future of Swiss electricity supply in water and solar energy. Wind power, geothermal energy, biogas and hydrogen are to play a secondary role. Only 44 percent of those surveyed see a more or very central role for nuclear power in the next twenty years. Five years after the vote on the energy strategy, 56 percent are still fundamentally behind this course. At the ballot box, 58 percent approved of the proposal.
Sympathizers from SP and Greens for cutting back on wage protection
The survey on European politics provides a surprising finding. An electricity agreement with the EU would have positive consequences for Switzerland’s security of supply. The supporters of the Greens and SP would be willing to make compromises with the EU on the controversial issues of wage protection and immigration in order to be able to conclude an electricity agreement in return. The two parties had rejected the framework agreement, in particular with reference to the no longer guaranteed wage protection.