2023-06-19 20:47:42
For some politicians, relaunching the construction of nuclear power plants in Switzerland is no longer a taboo and the yes to the climate law still feeds this debate. But professionals in the branch do not share this point of view and rely first on renewables.
Sunday in the program Forum, the Bernese SVP national councilor Manfred Bühler affirmed that to meet the needs of the population, “Switzerland will not be able to do without nuclear power, this despite the fine speeches”. Several elected officials from this party, but also from the PLR, now believe that we must go down this path.
Recently, the Federal Councilor in charge of Energy Albert Rösti, also a member of the SVP, had also not ruled out a return to nuclear power in the long term.
>> Read also: Albert Rösti does not rule out a return to nuclear power in the long term: “I am open to everything”
Fourth-generation power plants at the prototype stage
But energy circles seem less enthusiastic. Valérie Bourdin, spokesperson for the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AEES), confirmed this on Monday in Forum: “Swiss electricity companies do not share this opinion, this is not the right time to resume the discussion. nuclear.”
Sector professionals believe that the plants that might be considered for Switzerland, ie fourth generation, are only at the prototype stage. China and India, countries at the forefront of this technology, do not plan to come into force before 2044. “It is not reasonable to put this theme on the table at the moment”, insists Valérie Bourdin.
We must spend the next winters, until we reach a cruising speed
Valérie Bourdin, spokesperson for the Association of Swiss Electrical Companies
According to the AEES spokesperson, the country’s investors do not consider this technology interesting in terms of profitability.
A study conducted jointly with the Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) further concludes that it is entirely possible to achieve security of supply and carbon neutrality by 2050 with renewable energies and without nuclear energy.
But the collaboration with Europe of energy remains important to guarantee the security of supply of the country. “We have to spend the next winters, until we reach a cruising speed. And the Confederation is ready to commit in this direction”, explains Valérie Bourdin.
The unfavorable population
Three weeks ago, a poll conducted by gfs.bern also indicated that the Swiss population supported renewables and that there was no majority in favor of nuclear. According to Valérie Bourdin, “we are in a nuclear exit strategy”.
Now we have to give ourselves time to start our work
Valérie Bourdin, spokesperson for the Association of Swiss Electrical Companies
To give this definitive impetus to renewable energies, the sector is waiting for a clear message from the Federal Council and, within a few weeks, it should allow the acceleration of procedures.
“Now we have to give ourselves time to start our work”, concludes the spokesperson for the professionals in the branch.
>> See also the Forum debate following the yes to the climate law:
Climate law: following the failure of 2021, the Swiss people approve the law this time / Forum / 16 min. / yesterday at 6:00 p.m.
Interview by Pietro Bugnon
Adaptation web: Miroslav Mares
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