Facts beat polemics: The Council of States speaks out in favor of more climate-friendly electricity

With a clear verdict of 26 votes to 12, the Council of States is in favor of lifting the technology ban on nuclear energy. This represents an important fundamental decision: all technological options should be available to ensure a secure, clean and affordable electricity supply until 2050 and beyond.

It is also pleasing that an individual motion was clearly rejected, which would have restricted the new technological openness. Rigid government guidelines are inappropriate for a rapidly developing technology - what counts is security of supply, zero emissions and efficiency.

Winter power problem must be solved

The arguments were presented clearly and soberly in the Council debate: The expansion of renewables is key, but Switzerland must diversify its strategy in order to compensate for the growing demand for electricity, the winter supply and the discontinuation of existing NPPs in the long term. Jakob Stark, member of the Council of States, spoke of overcoming old rifts and "putting a plus behind the Energy Strategy 2050". Council of States member Severin Brüngger emphasized that a course correction due to the changed starting position was "not a loss of face, but a sign of political maturity". Federal Councillor Albert Rösti referred to the dimensions of the winter electricity problem and the long-term importance of the counter-proposal to prevent fossil energy (gas-fired power plants) and disproportionate dependence on imports.

EU: Turning away from nuclear energy was a "strategic mistake"

At a conference in Paris just yesterday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the move away from nuclear energy as a "strategic mistake" by individual European countries that had increased their dependence on fossil energy. The EU had already previously described nuclear power as an essential technology for achieving climate targets. The EU is therefore in good company - around 200 new plants are currently under construction or in planning worldwide. With today's decision by the Council of States, Switzerland is once again moving closer to the international consensus.