Swiss Government Plans to Overturn Ban on New Power Plants

ZURICH (Reuters) – The Swiss government announced on Wednesday intentions to reverse a ban on constructing new power plants to bolster local energy supply amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Energy Minister Albert Roesti stated that the government would propose amendments to nuclear legislation by the end of 2024, aiming for parliamentary discussion next year.

“Over the long term, new nuclear power plants are one potential avenue for securing our supply in a geopolitically uncertain time,” Roesti remarked at a press conference.

He argued that not retaining the option could be perceived as a betrayal to future generations.

Switzerland opted to phase out atomic energy following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. In 2017, Swiss voters endorsed a government plan that included a ban on new nuclear power stations.

By the end of 2019, the Muehleberg nuclear power station was taken off the grid, leaving three nuclear stations still operational.

Roesti also emphasized that the government believes it is fulfilling its climate change commitments, in response to an April ruling from a European court directing it to improve its efforts.

KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, along with Greenpeace, which brought the case to court, dismissed the government’s claims, asserting that Switzerland continues to fail in meeting its obligations.