Federal Councilor Albert Rösti does not skimp on praise. He calls the energy resolutions “a huge achievement by Parliament”. Knowing full well that he played a significant role in it. Rösti has been working towards a “deal” since his first day in office as a Federal Councilor, which means: purifying the energy bill. No comprehensive solar requirement for all buildings. In return, there is no “attack” on the remaining water. Reservoir operators are not allowed to use more water to produce electricity than previously planned.
The four sticking points
It worked: Rösti’s tactics worked, the energy template is on the home stretch. But does it actually provide Switzerland with enough electricity? These are the four big questions:
Are the hydropower projects coming? The template accelerates 16 selected hydropower projects – for example on the Grimsel or in Zermatt. In the event of a complaint, courts must give greater importance to the interest in electricity from these projects than to nature conservation. The only question is: Are the major nature conservation organizations now waiving objections as promised in advance?
Is the population on board? Parliament has also removed hurdles for wind and solar systems. But there is local resistance. An example was two weeks ago in Lower Valais, where the Greens, SP and SVP hand in hand brought down faster procedures for Alpine solar parks.
Is it enough without solar obligation? Almost all scenarios for a CO₂-neutral Switzerland assume that all suitable roofs produce electricity. But now nothing will come of a national solar requirement for all houses, and the cantons’ recommendations are not binding.
Is that affordable? Additional money is flowing for new power plants – money from the electricity levy. Parliament promises that this will not be opened. However, there will probably be additional costs for consumers in the electricity network: because more renewable energy requires a denser network.
Nuclear power plant – the elephant in the room
Nuclear power is not an issue in the proposal, but it is still omnipresent: because it is unclear whether the new production targets for renewable electricity will one day be achieved. And whether it doesn’t require even more electricity than stated in the goals. The SVP and parts of the FDP are calling for new nuclear power plants. And Albert Rösti? He recently explained that he is currently not interested in a nuclear power debate. The energy minister is waiting to see whether “his” energy bill comes to fruition. If this is not the case within four to five years, he says he reserves other options. Even as a Federal Councilor, Rösti makes no secret of his openness to nuclear technology.
Nuclear initiative as a vehicle?
The nuclear issue will soon end up on the energy minister’s desk anyway: the initiators of the nuclear-friendly “Stop Blackout” initiative say they have already collected over 100,000 signatures. Possibly an opportunity for Albert Rösti to bring the nuclear question to the table with a counter-proposal.
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