Most renewable electricity came from hydropower plants (68%), followed by photovoltaics (11%), wind and biomass, according to official figures released on Monday.
The proportion of electricity generated by so-called new renewable energy sources (sun, wind, biomass and smaller hydropower projects) increased from 10.3% in 2020 to 11.5% in 2021.
Most renewable energy was produced within Switzerland: for example, 76% of all hydropower and 79% of new renewables.
The proportion of electricity originating from coal powered sources remained largely the same (1.87% in 2021 compared to 1.8% in 2020).
The amount of electricity produced by domestic nuclear power plants fell from 19.9% in 2020 to 18.5% in 2021.
Since 2005, Swiss electricity suppliers have been legally obliged to disclose the origin and composition of electricity they supply.
A similar certificate of origin system has also been introduced for energy providers situated in neighbouring countries. This means that, from 2021, no electricity from unknown sources – so-called grey electricity – is permitted in Switzerland.
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Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
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Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
Swiss government predicts CHF845 million budget deficit in 2026
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The Gösgen nuclear power plant in northwestern Switzerland will be out of service for six months. It has not been connected to the grid since late May.
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Swiss electricity getting greener
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Switzerland’s energy consumption is getting greener, with 68% of it coming from renewable sources in 2017, compared with 62% the previous year.
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The nuclear disaster in Japan last month has reopened the debate on the use of alternative energies, and Switzerland – which has five reactors – is now considering the possibility of abandoning atomic energy. The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant has been leaking radiation after a March 11 earthquake and tsunami wrecked its power and…
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Solar panels and wind turbines are crucial in Switzerland's transition to greener energy – and so is artificial intelligence.
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