Population supports expansion of renewables
The population maintains its approval of the energy transition. In order to secure the supply, the majority calls for a domestic expansion of renewable energies. Nuclear power should play no role in the future. This is shown by a survey commissioned by the VSE.
The energy crisis, electricity price increases and the risk of an energy shortage have not diminished the approval of the population, informs the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies(VSE) in a press release. According to a representative survey conducted on its behalf by gfs.bern, approval has even risen by 3 percentage points year-on-year to 59 percent. The domestic expansion of renewable energies plays a major role in the energy transition.
Thus, 97 percent of respondents are in favour of solar installations on buildings and facades. Hydropower is supported by 89 percent and wind power by 76 percent. Large solar plants in the mountains and on open spaces, on the other hand, are viewed critically. Only a minority of 34 percent can imagine new nuclear power plants.
For many of the respondents, the expansion of renewable energies offers solutions to a number of challenges of the energy transition. For example, it can strengthen security of supply and reduce dependence on imports from abroad. In addition, around 80 percent of those surveyed consider the promotion of renewable energies to be environmental protection in practice. According to the majority, nature and landscape should not be sacrificed without compromise, but six out of ten respondents are in favour of cutting back on environmental protection.
For the VSE, the results of the survey show the necessity of pushing ahead with the expansion of renewables. “We all have to prove to the population that we can actually realise all the projects for the expansion of renewable energies that are currently blocked or in the pipeline, and the further development of the electricity grids that is necessary for this,” VSE President Michael Wider is quoted as saying in the statement.