The latest study from the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES) has revealed that Switzerland is lagging far behind its European neighbours when it comes to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables. Despite record growth in the solar power industry and the approval of the Climate Act at a recent referendum, the alpine nation finds itself near the bottom of the order when it comes to green energy usage.
Despite its strong hydroelectric industry, the study found that only 6 percent of Swiss energy is produced from solar and wind power. Like last year, this places Switzerland 23rd out of 28 European nations for solar and wind usage - ahead of Romania, Czechia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Latvia - and bottom when compared to the country’s immediate neighbours.
For comparison, 7 percent of Germany’s energy grid uses solar power, while Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, the three frontrunners in the list, produce between seven and eight times more electricity per capita through solar and wind than Switzerland does.
Speaking to 20 Minuten, the SES complained that despite record growth last year, wind power projects in Switzerland are now stagnating. They added that public support for green energy is growing after the acceptance of the Climate and Innovation Act, with a recent Tamedia poll indicating that 47 percent of people are in favour of building wind turbines, while 57 percent would support making solar panels obligatory on new buildings.
"In the 1980s we were still pioneers when it came to photovoltaics - now we're completely behind," Green Party National Councillor Kurt Egger told the newspaper. “If we want to achieve net zero, then we have to invest in solar energy, where we can produce up to 10 times more [power] than today.”
Egger added that the country’s lakes and rivers won’t help much more than they already do, noting that “we can still get about 1 to 2 percent [more energy production] out of hydropower, then we have exhausted it.” Recent data from the Federal Statistical Office showed that while hydropower currently accounts for 13,1 percent of total energy production, 49,6 percent of Switzerland’s energy still comes from imported oil and gas.
In contrast, Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Christian Imark told 20 Minuten, "I don't care what place Switzerland occupies in this rating," arguing that the security of the power supply and lower costs are the only things that remain relevant. He concluded that it was unfair to compare Switzerland to other countries, noting that while other nations like the United Kingdom have the North Sea in which to build extensive wind farms, the alpine nation’s strength is in hydropower alone.
For more information, check out the study in full (in German).