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Released May 23, 2017 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Switzerland has voted to ban new nuclear power as part of a new energy plan that aims to boost the amount of renewable energy in its mix and lower energy consumption.
Swiss people went to the polls over the weekend with more than 58% voting to ban new nuclear power as part of the government's new Energy 2050 strategy. However, the country's existing nuclear plants will be allowed to continue operating as long as they meet existing nuclear safety regulations.
"The results show the population wants a new energy policy and does not want any new nuclear plants," Energy Minister Doris Leuthard told a news conference. "The law leads our country into a modern energy future."
Switzerland has five operational reactors located at four power plants, two at Beznau and the others at Mühleberg, Gösgen and Leibstadt. They supply about 40% of the country's power, second only to hydroelectric power. Assuming the plants continue to pass safety tests, they can be expected to have their lives extended to around 60 years, meaning their closure dates will arrive sometime in the 2030s and 2040s. As part of the new energy plan, the government will invest more in solar and wind energy.
Switzerland now joins Germany and Italy as part of a growing number of European nations turning their backs on nuclear power, a trend that was sparked by the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident in Tokyo in 2011. Germany was first to announce a fast-track exit from nuclear power later that year, while Italian citizens voted against a return to nuclear power that summer. For additional information, see May 30, 2011, article - Germany Votes to Dump Nuclear Power and June 14, 2011 article - Italians Say 'No' to Nuclear Power Revival.
Switzerland voted to abandon nuclear power in 2011, but attempts by the Green Party to accelerate the closure of the existing plants were voted down by Swiss citizens fearing a major jump in the cost of electricity late last year. For additional information, see May 27, 2011, article - Switzerland Calls Time on Nuclear Power and December 2, 2016, article - Switzerland Rejects Fast Exit from Nuclear Power.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
Swiss people went to the polls over the weekend with more than 58% voting to ban new nuclear power as part of the government's new Energy 2050 strategy. However, the country's existing nuclear plants will be allowed to continue operating as long as they meet existing nuclear safety regulations.
"The results show the population wants a new energy policy and does not want any new nuclear plants," Energy Minister Doris Leuthard told a news conference. "The law leads our country into a modern energy future."
Switzerland has five operational reactors located at four power plants, two at Beznau and the others at Mühleberg, Gösgen and Leibstadt. They supply about 40% of the country's power, second only to hydroelectric power. Assuming the plants continue to pass safety tests, they can be expected to have their lives extended to around 60 years, meaning their closure dates will arrive sometime in the 2030s and 2040s. As part of the new energy plan, the government will invest more in solar and wind energy.
Switzerland now joins Germany and Italy as part of a growing number of European nations turning their backs on nuclear power, a trend that was sparked by the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident in Tokyo in 2011. Germany was first to announce a fast-track exit from nuclear power later that year, while Italian citizens voted against a return to nuclear power that summer. For additional information, see May 30, 2011, article - Germany Votes to Dump Nuclear Power and June 14, 2011 article - Italians Say 'No' to Nuclear Power Revival.
Switzerland voted to abandon nuclear power in 2011, but attempts by the Green Party to accelerate the closure of the existing plants were voted down by Swiss citizens fearing a major jump in the cost of electricity late last year. For additional information, see May 27, 2011, article - Switzerland Calls Time on Nuclear Power and December 2, 2016, article - Switzerland Rejects Fast Exit from Nuclear Power.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
