Despite the no vote in Valais: Mitte-Rieder continues to believe in solar energy in the Alps

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No special treatment for large solar energy projects: On Sunday, voters in Valais approved a decree by 53.94 percent, which should have ensured faster approvals in the mountain canton.

While Italy’s Lower Valais region rejected the decree with more than 61 percent of the vote, the Upper Valais region clearly accepted it with a yes share of almost 68 percent. “This shows that the massive campaign by the environmental associations was effective,” says Valais state councilor Beat Rieder (60).

Population with projects for this

The centrist politician, who campaigned in Bern for the rapid expansion of solar energy in the Alpine region, the so-called Solar Express, regrets the decision, but he points out that where there are concrete solar energy projects, such as in Grengiols or Gondo, the population behind the decree.

The decree stipulated that the State Council, i.e. the Valais government council, would now be primarily responsible for building permits for large photovoltaic installations. The government would have replaced the building commission, which normally issues permits outside construction zones. The goal was to speed up the process.

In the event of a complaint, the suspensive effect could also have been lifted, so that a project is not automatically stopped in the event of objections.

Upper Valais supports solar energy

However, an alliance of leftists and environmental groups called for the referendum. The SVP of Lower Valais and the SP support this. On the other hand, the center, the FDP, the SVP Upper Valais and the SP Upper Valais had called for its acceptance.

For Rieder it is clear: “We need solar energy expansion in the Alps. Or we build new nuclear power stations. I don’t want this one. Certain environmental associations apparently accept it.”

The Solar Express at the federal level is only marginally affected by the Valais decision. Firstly, the solar energy projects in the mountain canton can continue with the usual approval procedures and secondly, the other parts of Switzerland are not affected. The individual cantons go their own way to carry out the solar offensive. In the canton of Bern, for example, the responsible authorities are developing a list of locations for solar parks in the Alps in consultation with environmental associations and other interest groups.

Change the express time limit

However, the solar express is limited. “As I said, in my opinion we need the electricity from the solar systems, so we have to do everything we can to expand them,” said Rieder. If necessary, the extension limit until the end of 2025 should also be changed. “The construction of solar energy systems in the Alps is coming, there is no short-term alternative to cover Switzerland’s winter electricity needs,” says Rieder.

Source:Blick