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It should become one of the largest solar systems in Switzerland. SP doyen Peter Bodenmann (71) dreamed of covering an area of five square kilometers with solar systems in Grengiol’s US. And to provide electricity to 400,000 households every year.
But the reality is now very different. The project has already been phased out once before: from 400,000 to 200,000 households. But now it turns out that this is not realistic either. In a statement on Monday, Grengiols-Solar project managers spoke of just 37,000 households that should one day be supplied with solar energy from Valais. More than ten times less than Bodenmann, who designed the project he once dreamed of.
Controversial hit-and-run exercise
According to those responsible, the reason why the mega solar park is becoming a mini solar park is the legal framework. Last fall, parliament launched a solar offensive. A law was quickly passed to speed up the realization of large-scale solar projects such as those in Grengiol’s US. The background is the fear of a power shortage in winter.
The rushed exercise was controversial, not only because of environmental concerns, but also because critical voices questioned the viability of the plans. Because time is running out. The law is limited to the end of 2025. Federal funds will only flow if at least 10 percent of the electricity the system is supposed to produce has been delivered to the grid by then.
Electricity only for 37,000 households
It now appears that the concerns were justified. According to project managers, the 600 gigawatt-hours per year that were still discussed in March cannot be achieved within this short period of time. There is now talk of about 110 gigawatt hours, of which 42 percent in the winter.
Grengiols-Solar remains an important building block for Switzerland’s security of supply, the reduction of foreign dependence and the expansion of renewable energy sources, according to the six project partners. These include the municipality of Grengiols, two Valais energy companies, the West Swiss energy company Groupe E, the industrial works of Basel and the electrical works of the canton of Zurich.
Part of the solar offensive
The aim is to submit the construction project to the canton of Valais by the end of 2023. However, the landowners and the people of Grengiols must first agree to the plans. In addition, a cantonal vote will probably first take place.
As was announced last weekend, a referendum has taken place against the so-called Valais Sun Decree. This regulates the cantonal implementation of the solar offensive. If the voters say no, the approval process for large-scale solar systems like those in Grengiols or Gondo will take much longer. (IHA/SDA)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
