These energy issues will be important

In 2017, the Swiss population adopted a revised energy law. It sets the course for the country as a whole and Swiss energy until 2050. Details of the Energy Strategy 2050 can be found online.

An updated version of the previous 2007 Energy Strategy can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Energy.

Moving away from imported fossil fuels should be encouraged. Therefore, the topic of renewable energies will continue to play a major role in the coming years.

In addition to traditional hydropower, new technologies such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass are planned to be developed in Switzerland. Solar energy in particular has seen increasing growth in recent years.

According to Swiss Solar statistics, a total of 20,189 photovoltaic systems were counted in single-family homes in 2021.

To this end, the federal government launched the “EnergySwiss” program, which supports individuals and companies in switching to renewable energies. The focus is on energy supply for households and modern and sustainable mobility.

Switzerland already has an above-average density of electric vehicle charging points. But many citizens still need to be convinced of the benefits of the electric car. The infrastructure is scheduled to be expanded further.

Bicycles should also be promoted more, especially in cities. More e-bikes and electric scooters are planned for longer distances and mountainous areas.

According to Statista, more and more people are switching to electric bikes, with a share of 45.2 percent in 2022. After almost tripling between 2010 and 2019, there was a slight decline in 2020. A new high was reached in 2022.

Another big topic in the energy field is saving energy and thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Here too, the government launched financing programs for individuals and private companies. Modern Swiss technology aims to reduce energy consumption in buildings and vehicles.

Mobility is the main focus of research here: how can vehicles and aircraft be operated more efficiently and therefore more economically in the future? Digitization will also play a key role in further development of technology.

The construction of new nuclear power plants in Switzerland has been banned. However, existing nuclear power plants are allowed to continue operating as long as it is safe.

Exactly when the shutdown will take place will be at the discretion of the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI).

According to the Federal Office for Energy (SFOE), Switzerland will become nuclear-free from 2050. However, it will take a few years for the nuclear dismantling of the facilities to be completed. Estimated time is about 15 years.

In addition to the main themes of the 2050 Energy Strategy, additional measures for a sustainable lifestyle will impact Swiss technology. Another big topic, for example, is the so-called circular economy.

Waste products are recycled and reused as much as possible or fed into the economic cycle in some other way.

Another interesting topic is filtering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Swiss technology called Direct Air Capture from Climeworks is already world-leading.

You can read more about this at House of Switzerland. However, it will be a long time before removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere becomes suitable for widespread use.