URS FLUEELER
So far, these renewable energies have mainly been supported with the cost-oriented feed-in tariff (KEV). The KEV expires at the end of 2022. The parliamentary initiative of Bastien Girod (Greens / ZH) accepted by both parliamentary commissions wants to prevent a gap in the funding instruments from arising afterwards.
Today, significantly expanded or renewed small hydropower systems from 300 kilowatts as well as new waste incineration, sewage gas and wood heating systems of regional importance benefit from a so-called one-off payment. With the changes in the Energy Act, which the Energy Commission of the National Council (Urek-N) has drawn up, renewable energies are to be promoted uniformly until the end of 2030.
The submission was undisputed in the advocacy debate. For the implementation of the energy strategy and an environmentally friendly, secure power supply in Switzerland, it was important to support various renewable forms of electricity generation, was the tenor.
If nothing happens, there will be unequal treatment of renewable energies from 2023. Those renewable energies that receive a one-off remuneration would continue to be subsidized arbitrarily, while subsidies would be suspended for the other technologies.
According to the Urek-N, this interim solution is intended to ensure that there is no funding gap until a more comprehensive reform of energy legislation comes into force. The Federal Council plans to submit a revision of the Energy and Electricity Supply Act to parliament before the summer break.
The need for legislative action to further expand renewable energies is undisputed, said Energy Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. “We have to make sure that we have enough clean electricity.”
The Federal Council rejects the interim solution because it is insufficient to strengthen Switzerland’s electricity supply security in the long term and to integrate renewable energies efficiently and safely into the electricity system, said Sommaruga. She therefore pleaded not to enter, but decided not to vote.
A seamless solution from 2023 with the comprehensive reform of the Federal Council would be “temporally illusory”, said Commission spokeswoman Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher (FDP / SG). It is therefore important to secure measures until the coat decree comes into force.
“We have to manage the phase-out of nuclear power,” said Albert Rösti (SVP / BE). For the SP, the focus is on the potential of renewable energies being better exploited, said parliamentary group spokeswoman Nadine Masshardt (BE).
“We do not want a forced pit stop for renewable energies,” said Priska Wismer-Felder (LU) on behalf of the center group. She advocated a “transitional solution without prejudice”. The upcoming revision package by the Federal Council is even more important than the present proposal. The interim solution is «pragmatic», said Jacques Bourgeois (FDP / FR).
The National Council is now dealing with the details of the bill.