Monday, May 22, 2017

Switzerland: Swiss Voters Choose to Grow Renewables at Expense of Nuclear

Swiss vote in in favor of gradual nuclear phaseout (Deutsche Welle)

Swiss voters have gone to the polls in a referendum on the government's plan to move from nuclear power to renewables. Results suggest that a majority favors the plan, which critics claim is too expensive.

Although the plan does not lay down a clear timetable for phasing out the plants, it does envisage increasing reliance on hydraulic power and solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy sources, as well as reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency.

Its targets are ambitious, with the aim being to cut the average energy consumption per person per year by 43 percent by 2035 as compared with levels in 2000.