Population calls for accelerated expansion of renewable energies
A recent survey shows that 78% of Swiss people support a faster expansion of green electricity production. This comes in the run-up to the vote on the new Electricity Act, which is intended to significantly drive forward the energy transition in Switzerland.
Switzerland is about to take a decisive step in its energy policy. The government and parliament have set the course for the increased use of solar, wind and hydropower with the so-called “Mantelerlass”. A decisive step in this direction is the “Electricity Act”, which will be put to a popular vote on 9 June 2024. A representative survey conducted by a market research institute reveals that an overwhelming majority of 78% of the population wants to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies.
Patrick Drack, Managing Director of STIEBEL ELTRON Switzerland, emphasises the importance of this law for the country’s energy future: “The Electricity Act is a fundamental building block for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and aims to make our energy supply more sustainable and secure.” Political efforts are focussing in particular on avoiding energy shortages in winter.
The survey results also make it clear that the Swiss population is calling for a balanced consideration of nature and landscape conservation alongside electricity production. While 42% are against prioritising electricity production over environmental protection, 58% are in favour of such prioritisation, provided it is carefully weighed up.
Parallel to the energy transition, an increase in electricity demand is expected, particularly for heating and cooling buildings. Heat pump technology offers an efficient solution here, as it primarily utilises environmental energy. Although a high proportion of new buildings already rely on heat pumps, the heating supply for over half of all residential buildings is still based on fossil fuels. Environmentally friendly alternatives are supported by extensive subsidy programmes to facilitate the financial transition.
The results of the “Energy Trend Monitor 2024” continue to show a strong 84% of the population in favour of financial support for households in need to convert to environmentally friendly heating systems. Similarly, 79% are in favour of targeted measures to reduce electricity prices for climate-friendly heating systems, such as the heat pump tariff.