"If the Federal Council is now considering abolishing the program — or at least withdrawing the federal contribution — it is mainly because of the windfall effects it generates," explains Philippe Thalmann, professor of environmental economics at EPFL.
"Today, 70% of our results come from abroad, while 70% of our investments are made in our historic service territory in Switzerland," says Cédric Christmann, Chief Executive Officer of Primeo Energie.
More and more Swiss want to reopen the debate on nuclear power.
In a survey conducted among a thousand citizens, it emerges that a narrow majority (56%) of respondents say they are in favor of Switzerland reconsidering the construction of nuclear power plants.
What do the Swiss think of national energy policy? This is the exercise that the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES) once again undertook last spring with the contribution of the research institute gfs.bern. Several conclusions can be drawn from this survey conducted among a thousand citizens, starting with a first key element: are the Swiss aligned with federal energy policy?
The results reveal a divided opinion. 59% of respondents say they are in favor of the current energy policy — a figure that could lead to somewhat hasty satisfaction. Because at the same time, 63% believe that the energy transition is progressing too slowly. "The population wants an eco-responsible energy transition, and quickly, reliably and on a broad scale," confirms Michael Frank, director of the AES.
This expression in favor of renewables and a climate-neutral nation must, however, be treated with some caution. The Swiss remain pragmatic, as the study points out, where two priorities stand out: security of supply (45%) and the price of energy (29%). "For the population, the promotion of renewable energies remains the central element of a credible energy policy — but not at any price: not only must security of supply and affordability be guaranteed, but landscape protection requirements are also considered legitimate by a majority," the report reads.
The survey carried out by the gfs.bern institute reveals a notable shift in attitudes toward nuclear power. For the first time, a narrow majority (56%) of respondents say they are in favor of Switzerland reconsidering the construction of nuclear power plants — provided, however, that other energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric) prove insufficient in the long term.
As for the "Black-Out" initiative, no clear trend emerges at this stage. The population remains very divided: 46% of voters would approve the initiative, while 48% say they would reject it.
Still seen as a last-resort solution, nuclear power is nevertheless making an unexpected comeback, after having been excluded from the national energy strategy in the 2017 vote. It is important to note, however, that this acceptance remains highly conditional — both on the location and the technology used. A narrow majority (53%) accept the idea of building a next-generation nuclear power plant, whereas traditional plants remain largely rejected.
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Developing renewable energies: The path to a decarbonized and renewable energy supply remains widely endorsed by the population. While the question of price remains a key factor, the Swiss continue to massively support measures such as promoting energy efficiency (94%), developing hydroelectric power (92%) and expanding photovoltaics (94%), which enjoys the highest level of acceptance.
Geothermal energy, biomass and wind power also enjoy significant support. "The energy future is a process of social negotiation, which is not based solely on facts but also on fundamental attitudes," the study emphasizes.
The survey also highlights the delay Switzerland has accumulated in developing green energies. In December, in light of the Confederation's monitoring report, Economiesuisse recalled how much Switzerland was missing its renewable targets: "There is reason to be concerned, all the more so when the Confederation declares that the transformation of the energy system is going in the right direction. Switzerland needs a clear implementation plan to develop renewable energies, as well as a debate on openness to new technologies."
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Sobriety? Yes, but…: Alongside the accelerated development of renewable energies, the Swiss say they are ready to make certain efforts to avoid future supply problems. Support is almost unanimous when it comes to simple and non-intrusive measures, such as using less energy-consuming appliances or the widespread use of LED bulbs.
But as soon as measures require real involvement — such as voluntarily turning off lights — the commitment wanes. "The willingness to avoid using high-consumption appliances during peak hours is indeed a majority, but only about half would actually be prepared to do so consistently. A similar trend is observed with regard to the careful regulation of indoor temperature," the study notes.
On mobility, three quarters of respondents say they want to use public transport or bicycles more often. Yet the proportion of people truly convinced remains one of the lowest. The "hands-off-my-vehicle" attitude still seems well entrenched.
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A yes in favor of Europe:While the debate is electrifying in Bern, the population is overwhelmingly in favor of the electricity agreement envisaged with the European Union: 79% of respondents support it. Regarding the liberalization of the electricity market, a narrow majority (56%) approve. However, nearly two-thirds of respondents say they want to remain loyal to their current supplier.
"Cooperation with Europe on energy policy is largely seen as a useful step to guarantee security of supply. Nevertheless, opinion remains volatile," the study notes. On the AES side, the association welcomes the broad public support for the agreement with the EU. "International integration is essential to ensure security of supply," it states in a press release.
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"If the Federal Council is now considering abolishing the program — or at least withdrawing the federal contribution — it is mainly because of the windfall effects it generates," explains Philippe Thalmann, professor of environmental economics at EPFL.
"Today, 70% of our results come from abroad, while 70% of our investments are made in our historic service territory in Switzerland," says Cédric Christmann, Chief Executive Officer of Primeo Energie.
