Senators want a solar offensive
During its debates on the counter-project to the glacier initiative, the Upper House adopted a transitional solution to the risk of a power shortage.
Senators want to see more solar panels on new buildings. (Illustrative photo)
KEYSTONE / Salvatore Di Nolfi
Solar energy must be rapidly developed. Faced with the specter of a shortage of electricity this winter, the Council of States adopted Thursday without opposition a transitional solution within the framework of its debates on the counter-project to the initiative for the glaciers.
“Our country is faced with an obvious vulnerability”, recalled Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (PS / JU) for the commission. And to list the absence of a framework agreement on electricity with the European Union, the low deliveries of Russian gas due to the war in Ukraine, the French nuclear fleet operating at idle or even the difficult climatic prospects.
“Our country is faced with an obvious vulnerability,” said Elisabeth Baume-Schneider on Thursday.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
“It is urgent to plan an offensive in the field of photovoltaics to avoid facing an energy problem next winter,” continued the Jurassienne. “We must recover the 2 TWh grilled by the electric heaters”, quantified Lisa Mazzone (Vert-es / GE). And to advocate for a paradigm shift. “Solar must become the norm.”
“Solar must become the norm,” says Lisa Mazzone, here in Bern in June 2022.
KEYSTONE/Anthony Anex
The offensive is divided into several measures. The most controversial, adopted by only 25 votes against 19, is the obligation for all new buildings to be equipped with a solar installation, whether on the roofs or the facades. Exceptions will be foreseen, in particular if there are technical obstacles or if the costs are too high.
The opposition came from the bourgeois camp. This is too much intervention in federalism and individual ownership. “Such binding measures led to the failure of the CO2 law,” noted Hannes Germann (UDC / SH). Without success. The Confederation will also have to set an example, by making the best use of solar energy on its infrastructures.
Hannes Germann, here in Bern in June 2022, is opposed to the solar offensive.
KEYSTONE/Peter Schneider
Large installations made easy
Large facilities producing at least 10 GWh, of which 45% during the winter semester, can be built more easily. They may also receive a single payment of 50% to 60% of the investment costs.
Such solar fields cannot be set up in marshes and marshy sites. Heidi Z’Graggen (C / UR) would also have liked to ban them in landscapes, sites and natural monuments of national importance, or “the jewels in our crown”. His proposal was rejected by 24 votes to 17.
Heidi Z’Graggen (left) and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider this Thursday in Bern.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
The measures will be limited until December 31, 2025. The senators unanimously decided to extract them from the framework of the counter-proposal to the glacier initiative and to grant them the status of urgent law.
200 million for heating
Another disputed point of the counter-project: the aid program for the replacement of heating systems. By 23 votes against 21, the senators finally decided to follow the National, which wants to provide it with 200 million francs, and not their commission, which wanted to lower the bar to 100 million.
“Replacing a heater is a colossal investment for retirees and small owners,” noted Adèle Thorens (Vert-es / VD). The Federal Office for the Environment estimates that 30,000 installations should be replaced per year. “We must put the necessary means to achieve this objective.” The measure would also create jobs.
“Replacing a heating is a colossal investment for retirees and small owners,” noted Adèle Thorens, here in Bern in March 2021.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
“It is necessary to replace as many heaters as quickly as possible,” admitted Damian Müller (PLR / LU). “However, the market is facing difficulties: high demand, a lack of qualified personnel and delivery problems. In any case, it will not be possible to use the 200 million francs offered. And to plead in vain to grant only 100 million.
“It is necessary to replace as many heaters as quickly as possible,” admitted Damian Müller, here in Bern in September 2019.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
Emphasizing that the glacier initiative makes no such request, Jakob Stark (UDC / TG) pleaded for the support program to be simply abolished. He didn’t win either. In addition to this program, the project also provides for the encouragement of innovative technologies and processes, which part of the bourgeois camp opposed. The SVP and some PLRs have again challenged the provisions aimed at making financial flows compatible with climate objectives.
Jakob Stark pleaded on Thursday to remove the support program.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
Intermediate objectives
The counter-proposal to the glacier initiative proposes to enshrine the net zero emissions target in law, as well as intermediate targets and indicative values for the various sectors.
By 2050, the building and transport sectors should no longer emit CO2, and the industry sector should reduce its emissions by 90%. The remaining emissions will have to be offset. An intermediate objective has also been set: Switzerland will have to reduce its emissions by 75% compared to 1990 by 2040.
Objectives that are not to the taste of the UDC. In his view, it would be better to speak of indicative values. Economic development and population growth should also be appropriately considered.
“Such rigid arrangements for such a long period are not workable. Nobody knows what the situation will be in 2025. We need a certain room for manoeuvre”, pleaded Hansjörg Knecht (UDC / AG). However, the group failed to convince beyond its ranks.
“Such rigid provisions for such a long period are not practical,” said Hansjörg Knecht, here in Bern in May 2022.
KEYSTONE / Alessandro della Valle
In the overall vote, the text was approved by 39 votes against 4. It returns to the People’s Chamber.
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