Switzerland to cancel ban on new nuclear power stations

• 2 months ago (2024-08-29)
• David Flin

Europe 1088 Nuclear 659

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The Swiss Government announced on 28 August that it plans to overturn a ban on building new nuclear power plants to strengthen local energy supply at a time of increased geopolitical tension.

Albert Roesti, Switzerland’s Energy Minister, said the government would submit a proposal to amend nuclear legislation by the end of 2024 so it can be debated in parliament in 2025. He said: “Over the long term, new nuclear power plants are one possible way of making our supply more secure in a geopolitically uncertain time.” He added that failure to retain the option could be seen as a betrayal by future generations.

Switzerland decided to phase out atomic energy after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan. In 2017, Swiss voters approved a government plan that included a ban on building new nuclear power stations. The Muehleberg nuclear power station came off the grid in 2019. Three nuclear plants remain operational in Switzerland.