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Released December 02, 2016 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Nuclear power has won a reprieve in Switzerland after citizens voted to reject plans for a rapid exit from the nuclear sector in a national referendum.
Almost 55% of voters rejected the plan to place limits on the operational lives of the country's five nuclear reactors, located at four plants. The referendum called for a 45-year limit on existing reactors. If the vote had gone the other way, it would have meant the immediate closure of the Beznau I and II reactors, along with one at Mühleberg, as all of the plants have been operating for more than 45 years. The country's last two reactors at Gösgen and Leibstadt would then have to be shut in 2024 and 2029, respectively. Following the referendum, plants can be expected to operate for up to 60 years, with closures now expected in the 2030s and 2040s.
Nuclear power is the second largest source of power in Switzerland after hydropower, supplying around 35% of the total. The referendum calling for the early closure was proposed by the Swiss Green Party (SVP), the largest single party in parliament. It has vowed to propose another referendum against nuclear power on the grounds that it is too expensive.
Switzerland's Energy Minister, Doris Leuthard, told reporters after the vote: "I'm relieved by this outcome, because it allows us the necessary time to transform our energy system. The people are in agreement - this is something that won't happen overnight."
In October, Industrial Info reported that the Swiss government admitted that regardless of the referendum, the country was not ready to abandon to nuclear power. At the time it said that renewables were not ready to fill the gap, more coal-fired power would have to be brought back online and the government would face costly legal battles with the power utilities affected by an early exit. For additional information, see October 18, 2016, article--Switzerland Cannot Abandon Nuclear Power Early.
In 2011, Switzerland had followed Germany's decision to abandon nuclear power in reaction to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident in Japan. For additional information, see May 27, 2011, article--Switzerland Calls Time on Nuclear Power.
"Germany has been trying for years to succeed with their energy transition and they are facing huge difficulties," said Daniel Aegerter, co-founder of pro-nuclear NGO Energy for Humanity (EfH). "By keeping their existing plants online, Switzerland will be in a much better position to face the upcoming challenges in climate change and the energy sector in general." 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.
Almost 55% of voters rejected the plan to place limits on the operational lives of the country's five nuclear reactors, located at four plants. The referendum called for a 45-year limit on existing reactors. If the vote had gone the other way, it would have meant the immediate closure of the Beznau I and II reactors, along with one at Mühleberg, as all of the plants have been operating for more than 45 years. The country's last two reactors at Gösgen and Leibstadt would then have to be shut in 2024 and 2029, respectively. Following the referendum, plants can be expected to operate for up to 60 years, with closures now expected in the 2030s and 2040s.
Nuclear power is the second largest source of power in Switzerland after hydropower, supplying around 35% of the total. The referendum calling for the early closure was proposed by the Swiss Green Party (SVP), the largest single party in parliament. It has vowed to propose another referendum against nuclear power on the grounds that it is too expensive.
Switzerland's Energy Minister, Doris Leuthard, told reporters after the vote: "I'm relieved by this outcome, because it allows us the necessary time to transform our energy system. The people are in agreement - this is something that won't happen overnight."
In October, Industrial Info reported that the Swiss government admitted that regardless of the referendum, the country was not ready to abandon to nuclear power. At the time it said that renewables were not ready to fill the gap, more coal-fired power would have to be brought back online and the government would face costly legal battles with the power utilities affected by an early exit. For additional information, see October 18, 2016, article--Switzerland Cannot Abandon Nuclear Power Early.
In 2011, Switzerland had followed Germany's decision to abandon nuclear power in reaction to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident in Japan. For additional information, see May 27, 2011, article--Switzerland Calls Time on Nuclear Power.
"Germany has been trying for years to succeed with their energy transition and they are facing huge difficulties," said Daniel Aegerter, co-founder of pro-nuclear NGO Energy for Humanity (EfH). "By keeping their existing plants online, Switzerland will be in a much better position to face the upcoming challenges in climate change and the energy sector in general." 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.
