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Switzerland fears a power shortage because more and more energy is needed. The central question is whether renewable energies can replace nuclear power. While the Greens and SP rely on solar systems, SVP and individual FDP representatives no longer want to ban the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Eleven years after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima and the subsequent adoption of the energy law, the FDP and SVP want to reverse the trend and lift the ban on new nuclear power plants. The energy strategy “failed with a bang,” said SVP National Councilor Christian Imark in the “Arena” on Friday. There is a great risk that we will not have enough electricity in the immediate future – and it is “completely unrealistic” that the security of supply can be ensured with renewable energies alone.
Ultimately, the program was about a fundamental decision as to whether Switzerland could be supplied with enough electricity without new nuclear power plants, as required by the energy strategy. Because there is a risk of a power shortage – in the worst case, from 2025 the power could be scarce for weeks or even months, warned Economics Minister Guy Parmelin last autumn.
Left and Greens want to invest in solar systems
It was a sham debate, said SP faction leader Roger Nordmann on the show. He points out the unresolved disposal of the highly radioactive waste. In addition, there is the time aspect: including coordination, approval and construction, new nuclear power plants could not supply any electricity before 2050. “Apart from that, it’s a dangerous technique of the past,” said Nordmann. Florence Brenzikofer, Vice-President of the Greens, also says that nuclear power plants are no longer economical. “The cost of vetting these old technologies is out of all proportion to the return on investment,” she said.
Left and Green see the greatest potential instead in solar power and hydropower. “It needs a solar offensive,” said Brenzikofer. It calls for a duty of solar systems on new and industrial buildings.
That’s not nearly enough, Imark replied. “If oil and gas are to be reduced to zero by 2050, we need massively more electricity.” He accuses DETEC head Simonetta Sommaruga of not having analyzed the situation sufficiently. “That’s why we need a power general now.” The energy strategy must be rethought.
FDP National Councilor Christian Wasserfallen comes to the conclusion that a “back-up” of gas and coal is needed to supplement the expansion of renewable energies. His solution consists of the broadest possible mix of technologies that produce CO2-free electricity. Nuclear power plants are also included.
Axpo boss commented on the allegations
In an interview with Sandro Brotz, which was broadcast on the show, Christoph Brand, CEO of the energy company Axpo, said: “For the existing generation of nuclear power plants, it will be very difficult to find a company that is willing to take the financial risks”, he says. However, he also emphasizes that one must remain open to this technology, because as research progresses, new possibilities may arise.
He also commented on Magdalena Martullo-Blocher’s allegations against the energy companies for the first time on the show. The Ems boss and SVP President said in an interview that was published in Blick on Friday that the electricity companies had no interest in preventing the electricity shortage, they were only concerned with their own profit. Brand said many of the projects they invest in are blocked by objections, while others are simply in deficit. Ultimately, the taxpayer would also lose out.
The only thing that was agreed in the “Arena” was that it was urgent now. Because the expansion of renewable energy systems is faltering. At the same time, both sides accused each other of blocking the energy strategy. “We must not fall into trench warfare,” as is now the case with the NPP debate, said Roger Nordmann. That slows down the funding that renewable energies now need. Wasserfallen, for his part, said that the environmental organizations are blocking planned projects, such as the reservoir at the Trift Glacier or the solar system in Gondo. “We lose decades if everything ends up in federal court.”
Michael Casanova, project manager for energy policy at Pro Natura, who was on the show, said it was not enough to portray environmental organizations as villains. They basically supported the energy strategies. “It’s always a question of location,” said Casanova. Instead of intervening in the unpolluted nature first, one should start building in the mountain regions where a lot of infrastructure already exists.
Roger Nordmann emphasized in the “Arena” that “less polemics, more current” was appropriate in this debate. At least there was agreement on this in the lively discussion on Friday.