Majority for ban on nuclear power plants: Swiss want to rely on renewable energy sources

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The fear was great: when Russia suddenly ran out of gas last winter and the French nuclear power plants were maintained, Switzerland was worried about a power shortage. But it went well again. Switzerland survived the winter without a power outage.

The Swiss people are happy about that. For them, security of supply is the most important task – more important than climate-neutral energy production or an affordable electricity price, according to a study by GFS Bern commissioned by the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies.

Are renewable energy sources sufficient?

The population also supports the expansion of renewable energy sources. 68 percent of the 1003 respondents believe that the energy transition in Switzerland is going too slowly. The most important instruments to prevent power shortages are therefore more solar systems on buildings and facades, more energy efficiency and alternative energy in our own country. The desire for an independent power supply from abroad also plays a role in this.

But: a majority of 63 percent also believe that renewable energy is not enough to cover the demand for electricity, according to the survey. “In concrete terms, very large majorities of more than 80 percent among supporters of the SVP, the center and the FDP share these doubts,” the study authors write.

If the current course of energy policy continues, 51 percent of those surveyed fear a blackout – yet 59 percent agree with Swiss energy policy. However, the sampling error is about three percent.

According to the survey, the population supports solar, water and wind energy so that there is no power outage. “However, the population is not convinced of large solar systems in the mountains and open plains.” With the Solar Express, parliament has only recently approved such systems.

More pragmatism

Switzerland is divided on whether the energy transition is too expensive. 52 percent disagree with the statement.

Nuclear energy has a bad hand: only 44 percent believe that a ban on nuclear power plants limits the room for maneuver. There is also no majority for the construction of new nuclear power plants – at least 43 percent are in favor of fourth-generation nuclear power plants, which are currently being researched.

The analysis indicates that the population is making more pragmatic decisions than before, writes the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies. VSE director Michael Frank attributes this to the fact that, despite real risks, there were no shortages last winter: “If there had been a supply bottleneck, the population would certainly put more pressure on politicians and demand that in the
energy policy will finally release the handbrake.” The pain threshold has not yet been reached. (brother)

Source:Blick