Between vision and reality: The Swiss perspective of the future of energy

Swiss opinions on the energy transition: Preferences, resistance and knowledge gaps

The question of “how” to secure Switzerland’s electricity supply for the next few decades shows a wide range of attitudes among the population. Large-scale solar panels on rooftops or similar surfaces are regarded as the most important option, with an approval rate of 63 per cent, closely followed by the expansion of existing reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations, supported by 53 per cent of respondents. In contrast, only around 30 per cent support the construction of new nuclear power stations and the maintenance of existing ones, with similar reticence towards wind energy.

The preferred energy sources – solar panels and hydroelectric power – suggest a strong awareness of environmental concerns. However, the limitations of these options cannot be ignored. Solar panels depend on the season, the weather and the time of day; in summer, when demand is lower, they generate surplus electricity and lead to high system costs. In turn, the expansion potential of hydroelectric power in Switzerland is very limited.⁵

The moderate support for wind energy and nuclear power indicates that although these energy sources are the subject of discussion, they are not fully accepted by most of the population. Regarding nuclear power, it is noticeable that women are much more sceptical than men. Acceptance also increases with age. Interestingly, however, the same also applies to solar panels. Approval of this option increases with age. For instance, only 50 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds support solar panels installed across rooftops or other installations, compared with 69 per cent among over-50s.

In contrast, the low approval level for gas- and oil-fired power stations shows a clear rejection of fossil fuels. They would also increase the dependency on imported raw materials.

Electricity imports, an essential part of the energy strategy, do not enjoy widespread support among the population. A mere ten per cent are in favour of importing electricity. This underlines the strong desire for an energy policy with independence and self-sufficiency. This attitude could stem from long-term concerns regarding the reliability and sustainability of energy imports, particularly in a geopolitically unstable environment. Furthermore, neighbouring countries from which Switzerland sources electricity face similar challenges in terms of energy security. Scepticism about the reliability of electricity imports in times of high demand, especially in winter, is therefore understandable. An additional question confirms this. Only 35 per cent of respondents believe that Switzerland’s neighbours would continue to supply the contractually agreed electricity imports in the event of a Europe-wide electricity shortage. Past global crises, such as the Covid pandemic, have exposed the limitations of international solidarity. In times of profound crisis, many countries prioritise their own security over that of their neighbours.

In Switzerland, expansion of electricity production through large-scale projects is key to supply security. However, this expansion frequently meets stiff resistance, often from “building absolutely nothing anywhere near anything” (“banana”) groups, that use lengthy legislative proceedings and blockades to delay projects, derail them and scare off investors.⁶

Objections and protests by interest groups, particularly by the so-called “nimbys” (“not in my backyard”), pose a further challenge. They represent an attitude that, while not being against infrastructure expansion in principle, they emphatically reject it when it affects them directly and when projects are in their own “backyard”. The installation of wind turbines is a prime example.

The survey results on the acceptance of wind turbines nears homes illustrate this common “nimby” attitude. Only five per cent support a distance of less than 500 metres from homes, whereas 58 per cent want a distance of 1,000 metres or more. The closer wind turbines are to homes, the less they are accepted. While this may not constitute a major obstacle in countries with lots of space and low population density, it is a serious problem in densely populated Switzerland. If the majority want a distance of at least 1,000 metres and are politically active, sites in densely populated cantons such as Zurich will be barely feasible. In addition, many potential locations for wind farms could end up in tourist areas, which is another stumbling block to implementing such projects and would meet considerable resistance.

Legislative measures are one possible way of countering the opposition to large-scale projects in the energy industry. This could mean restricting the opportunities for objections and speeding up proceedings. However, there is the question of whether most people agree with such an approach. When asked about the possibility of objections in order to implement renewable energy projects more quickly, 50 per cent support this measure, 30 per cent reject it and 20 per cent have no opinion. Interestingly, 59 per cent of men approve of restrictions, compared with just 42 per cent of women.

Therefore, the situation for new turbines looks likely to remain difficult. Involving the population, addressing people’s worries and concerns, and an evidence-based debate are crucial for the better execution of energy security projects. This must be based on sound scientific and economic analyses rather than populism or ideology.

In tandem with this, it is also important to educate the population about these often technically complex issues. There is a clear information and knowledge deficit, as shown by the knowledge questions in our survey.

The respondents were asked individual knowledge questions about energy topics and asked to answer “true” or “false”. These questions covered topics such as solar and wind energy, permanent disposal sites for nuclear waste, and the carbon footprint of Swiss electricity production:

• Only 23 per cent of respondents are aware that solar panels and wind turbines adversely affect electricity grid stability, whereas a majority of 56 per cent assume the opposite.⁷
• Solar panels and wind turbines provide electricity reliably and predictably all year long are correctly deemed as “false” by 40 per cent of respondents “false”, while 46 per cent classify this statement as “true”.⁸
• Only 19 per cent of respondents know that a location for permanent disposal of nuclear waste (the Nördlich Lägern region in the canton of Zurich) has already been designated for Switzerland.⁹
• Only 17 per cent of respondents are aware that Swiss electricity production is now almost 100 per cent carbon-neutral, while 51 per cent mistakenly believe that this was not the case.¹⁰

The survey results show a significant gap between the level of knowledge among the general public and the actual situation and facts relating to energy issues. This discrepancy, compounded by the complexity of the topic, superficial media reporting and political influence, underscores the need for improved awareness and education.