Most energy came from large-scale hydroelectric power (60.5%). New renewable energy sources – solar, wind, small-scale hydroelectric power and biomass – accounted for 7.2%, up from 5.9% in 2016. Only small amounts of electricity came from rubbish and fossil fuels (each under 1%).
“For 16% of the delivered energy, the origin and composition is not verifiable,” explained an energy office statement. This is because large energy intensive companies buy fossil fuel and nuclear electricity from the European market without buying the proofs of origin that go with it, the office added.
This should change for the next set of energy statistics in 2020. Since this year it has been forbidden to declare electricity as “from non-verifiable energy sources”.
International comparison
Switzerland produces 55% of the renewable energy consumed in the country.
In some countries with a lot of hydropower, like Austria, it’s a lot higher: 72%. In Norway, up to 95% comes from hydroelectric sources, she said.
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Switzerland named top global investor in energy efficiency
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Switzerland has climbed a spot to second place on the latest Energy Transition Index and tops the ranking in terms of energy efficiency investments.
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Swiss court rejects special assistance for student with disabilities
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The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an application for special assistance from a student with disabilities at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Police arrest 15 drug dealers in Verbier in southern Switzerland
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Swiss and French police have arrested 15 suspected drug dealers operating in the mountain resort of Verbier in southern Switzerland.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
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Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
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Prices of owner-occupied homes rose in the third quarter of 2024 by 0.5%, with inflation affecting both apartments and single-family houses, says the Federal Statistical Office.
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The honey harvest is projected to be lower than usual this year, as Swiss beekeepers report harvesting an average of just 16kg of honey per bee colony.
More young refugees in Switzerland following vocational training
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More than half of young refugees and temporarily admitted persons between the ages of 16 and 25 are now in training. This is significantly more than five years ago.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Switzerland’s oldest nuclear reactor to be decommissioned
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A mini nuclear reactor at the University of Basel will be dismantled in 2020. The research and educational unit first came into operation in 1959.
Environment minister calls for national solidarity on climate change
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Following weeks of youth climate protests, new environment minister Simonetta Sommaruga is calling for unity to tackle climate change.
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The Swiss approach to boosting renewable energy is far too passive and slow, finds a specialist for environmental science and management.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.