Strategy outlined for nuclear-free energy future

The government has outlined its new energy policy in the wake of its landmark decision last year to gradually reduce and abandon reliance on nuclear power.

Switzerland’s heavy reliance on nuclear energy came under intense pressure in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, with the government ultimately pledging to abandon nuclear power by 2034.

Central to the government’s plans will be the construction of combined heat and power-generating plants as well as combined-cycle gas plants.

Renewable energies will make up a third of the energy supply and compensate for the progressive reduction in supply from nuclear power stations as they go offline.

The energy and environment ministry said in a statement that the strategy for a progressive exit from the use of nuclear power was based on a systematic plan to boost energy efficiency in buildings, home appliances, industry and transport.

The ministry has set specific targets for the reduction of energy and electricity consumption by 2050. It estimates the transition to nuclear-free energy provision should cost the federal budget between SFr42 million (SFr46 million) and SFr82 million per year.