Energy News
ENERGY NEWS
Swiss vote on renewable energy plan for 2050 carbon neutrality
Swiss vote on renewable energy plan for 2050 carbon neutrality
By Agn�s PEDRERO
Geneva (AFP) June 9, 2024

Swiss voters were expected to approve in a referendum Sunday a law aimed at accelerating the development of renewable energy as the country aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to the final opinion polls published in May, 73 percent of voters are set to approve the law on "a secure electricity supply based on renewable energies".

Less than two months ago Switzerland became the first country ever to be condemned by an international court for not doing enough to combat climate change, in a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

The new law was approved by parliament last year, and most environmental organisations back the legislation and its ambitions.

However, a few smaller environmental groups that oppose it managed to garner enough support to trigger a referendum.

They fear it will fast-track large-scale energy projects and see Switzerland's pristine Alpine landscapes plastered in wind turbines and solar panels.

They also deplore limitations on the possibilities for local residents to launch appeals against the construction of new renewable energy installations.

Retired economist Pierre-Alain Bruchez, who spearheaded the referendum push, said there was "no reason to put solar panels on mountain pastures, when there is so much space" on buildings.

He launched the battle after learning of the Grengiols-Solar project, aimed at installing around 230,000 solar panels in the mountainous Wallis canton, at an altitude of 2,500 metres, calling it a "vision of horror".

- Largest party opposes law -

Switzerland's largest party, the hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP), supports the referendum, above all in the name of defending civil nuclear power, which provided 32 percent of total energy production last year.

The SVP thinks renewable energies do not guarantee energy security due to their fluctuating nature.

The law is backed by major non-governmental organisations such as Greenpeace and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

It aims to boost wind and solar power's current miniscule contribution to Switzerland's energy mix and rapidly increase hydro power production so that the wealthy landlocked country is less dependent on importing electricity.

The law envisages installing solar panels on building roofs and facades.

It also eases planning conditions for wind turbines and large solar installations.

The government acknowledges that court appeals against large energy projects "will probably be less likely to succeed than before".

But it stressed that projects would be examined on a case-by-case basis and constructing large installations in "biotopes of national importance" and migratory bird reservations will remain outlawed, albeit with some exceptions.

The law also outlines 16 hydroelectric projects, a sector which last year represented 57 percent of national electricity production. These involve building new dams or heightening existing ones.

- Votes on health issues -

Under Switzerland's direct democracy system, citizens can trigger nationwide votes on topics by collecting 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months. Voting take place every three months.

Most voters have cast their ballots in advance by post for Sunday's referendum, with polling stations only open until noon (1000 GMT) and results expected later in the day.

National votes are also taking place on three popular initiatives -- topics proposed by the public -- linked to health.

One aims to cap health contributions at 10 percent of income, while another is also aimed at limiting health costs.

A third, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, does not mention vaccinations but demands a patient's consent be obtained for invasive procedures that may affect their physical or mental integrity -- and that a person who refuses consent may neither be penalised nor disadvantaged.

At the cantonal level, in the Geneva region, a vote is taking place on whether to ban the exhibition or wearing of symbols of hatred, in particular Nazi symbols, in public spaces.

Geneva residents will also have to decide on whether to repeal a provision preventing nursing homes from refusing to allow assisted suicide on their premises.

Related Links

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY NEWS
Pakistan power crisis deepened by mountain tourism
Skardu, Pakistan (AFP) June 7, 2024
In the mountainous valleys of Pakistan, 18-hour daily power cuts have meant local teacher Aniqa Bano uses her fridge as a cupboard for storing books and kitchen utensils. Load shedding is typical across much of fuel-short Pakistan, but few areas consistently suffer the same prolonged outages as Skardu city. A surge in mountain tourism, driven by climbers and Pakistanis looking to escape heatwaves, is rapidly depleting the limited energy supply at the gateway to ascend K2, the world's second-high ... read more

ENERGY NEWS
Swiss renewable energy battle moves to the ballots

UN chief urges fossil fuel ad ban as heat records pile up

World falling short on 2030 renewables goal: IEA

Australia's first 'green bond' a $4.8 bn hit with markets

ENERGY NEWS
AI Enhances Nanofiber Acoustic Energy Harvesters

AI Approach Elevates Plasma Performance and Stability Across Fusion Devices

Apple versus donut: How the shape of a tokamak impacts the limits of the edge of the plasma

Giant lithium partnership created in Chile

ENERGY NEWS
Why US offshore wind power is struggling - the good, the bad and the opportunity

Robots enhance wind turbine blade production at NREL

Offshore wind turbines may reduce nearby power output

Wind Energy Expansion Planned for China's Rural Areas

ENERGY NEWS
Some countries could meet electricity needs with floating solar panels, research shows

Solar investment outstrips all other power forms: IEA

Upcoming Workshop to Address Net Billing Tariff and Net Energy Metering

SCE Provides Quarterly Updates on Interconnection Capacity Analysis Improvements

ENERGY NEWS
Improved plutonium production methods enhance efficiency and cut costs

Nuclear waste scanning planned before final disposal in Finland

Framatome and TerraPower to develop HALEU pilot production facility

Framatome secures contract for critical underground piping rehab at US nuclear plant

ENERGY NEWS
Vast Gets Approval for Solar Methanol Plant in Port Augusta

Singapore shipper claims milestone with bio-methanol refuelling

Studying bubbles can lead to more efficient biofuel motors

Chicken fat transformed into supercapacitor components

ENERGY NEWS
Ukraine drone strike halts operations at Russian refinery

China's Xi says wants to deepen energy cooperation with Arab states

SE Asia gas expansion threatens green transition: report

Cleaner shipping fuel accelerated global warming: study

ENERGY NEWS
Fed up with inaction, Germany's climate activists contest EU elections

IMF to unlock nearly $600 million for drought-hit Zambia

Climate diplomacy averted worst scenario, but more action needed: UN

What looming La Nina means for global temperatures

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.