The Swiss government approved a new climate bill that aims to enhance the development of renewable energies. The push towards renewable energies is part of their goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
According to the Swiss government portal, the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energies received majority support from voters, with nearly 69% of votes in favour of the bill. This support highlights the nation’s determination to address pressing energy challenges.
Switzerland faces multifaceted energy supply challenges, including disruptions from international conflicts, restructuring of European electricity markets, and escalating demand from various sectors such as industries, electric vehicles, and heat pumps.
The newly approved bill focuses on strengthening electricity generation from renewable sources like water, sun, wind, and biomass to tackle the energy challenges.
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According to the bill, the focus will be on boosting electricity from “renewable energy sources such as water, sun, wind and biomass.” The bill also includes endowing funds for instruments and new arrangements for producing, storing, and transporting electricity.
Another key allocation of the bill is to focus on expanding solar power by building wall-mounted panels. In addition, restrictions on wind and solar project planning conditions will be reduced in certain areas.
Planning conditions for 16 hydropower plants will also ease, increasing project feasibility despite opposition. However, public votes on new energy projects remain an option.
Two months ago, Switzerland became the first country to be condemned by an international court for failing to take sufficient action against climate change.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that “Switzerland had failed to act in time and in an appropriate and consistent manner to devise, develop and implement relevant legislation and measures to mitigate the effects of climate change”.
