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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Switzerland plans to give an additional $80 million (CHF67 million) for the 2025-2028 period to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is facing financial difficulties.
Over half a million people attended Eurovision shows or events in Basel
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Over 500,000 people attended Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) shows or related events in Basel last week, the organisers said on Monday, celebrating its "great success".
Appenzell village is named ‘lightning capital’ of Switzerland
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Gonten in canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes recorded the highest number of lightning strikes per square kilometre in Switzerland last year.
Swiss centre records almost 300 victims of human trafficking
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Last year, 208 victims contacted the specialist unit FIZ Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking. For 59 others, an examination is still underway.
Swiss mountain village threatened by serious landslide risk
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The situation in the mountain village of Blatten, canton Valais, remains serious due to the threat of a landslide, Swiss officials said on Sunday afternoon.
Swiss mountain municipality partly evacuated due to landslide threat
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Part of the municipality of Blatten in canton Valais had to be evacuated on Saturday evening for safety reasons after a landslide.
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Two people died after an avalanche on the Eiger in canton Bern on Saturday, police said. Five others were airlifted to hospital.
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The Austrian countertenor won the 69th Eurovision in Basel on Saturday, edging out Israel. Switzerland’s Zoë Më came tenth.
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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.