Keeping all options open to ensure a secure electricity supply

Switzerland already relies on electricity imports in eight out of ten winters, while demand continues to grow. scienceindustries therefore supports the indirect counterproposal to the “Blackout Initiative” and a technology-neutral Swiss energy policy. The guiding principle is clear: keep options open, secure supply and strengthen Switzerland as a business location. 

Hydropower, solar and wind energy are central to Switzerland’s energy future and must continue to be expanded consistently – a goal that scienceindustries actively supports. However, given growing electricity demand, driven in part by the increasing electrification of transport, heating and industry as Switzerland moves towards its net-zero target, as well as the particular challenges of winter electricity supply, other low-carbon technologies should not be ruled out from the outset. 

Parliament has adopted the indirect counterproposal to the “Blackout Initiative”. The associated revision of the Nuclear Energy Act lifts the ban on constructing new nuclear power plants. This does not mean that a new nuclear power plant will automatically be built – it simply means that Switzerland will once again be able to consider this option. This preserves an additional option for the country’s long-term energy supply. 

scienceindustries supports this technology-neutral approach. For Switzerland’s export-oriented chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, a stable, climate-friendly electricity supply at competitive prices is essential to safeguarding production, research and innovation in Switzerland. As businesses work towards net zero, they depend on sufficient and reliable access to electricity. 

As a member of the “Alliance for a Secure Electricity Supply”, scienceindustries joins representatives of the business community and energy sector in supporting a Yes vote on the revision of the Nuclear Energy Act. Switzerland should not rule out any technology that could contribute to security of supply, climate targets and the competitiveness and innovative capacity of its industrial base.