Nuclear power plant Mühleberg off the grid - what now?
Today, 20 December 2019, marks a turning point in Swiss energy policy. The Mühleberg nuclear power plant is the first of five nuclear power plants to be shut down.
Energy policy yesterday | For a long time Swiss energy policy has relied on fossil fuels, water and nuclear power. After the nuclear catastrophe at Fukushima, Swiss energy policy took on a concrete form that would have been unthinkable shortly before: the Federal Council decided to phase out nuclear power, and in 2017 the Swiss electorate confirmed it with its 2050 energy strategy. A ban on new construction was enshrined in the law. A concrete date by which Switzerland's nuclear phase-out should be completed, however, was not set. And the disposal of nuclear waste is still unsolved.
Energy policy today | The turning point reaches a temporary climax today at 12:30 p.m.: Switzerland's first nuclear power plant is finally shut down. The dismantling of the Mühleberg nuclear power plant is to be completed by 2031. However, the other four Swiss reactors will remain in operation for the time being. After Fukushima and the international climate policy it is clear that it must go in a new direction. The major upheavals in the energy industry have begun.
More about decommissioning AKW Mühleberg & continued operation AKW Beznau
Energy policy tomorrow | Irrespective of the nuclear power plant operating times, the expansion of the renewable energy infrastructure must be pushed ahead with a great deal of thrust in order to achieve the goals of the Energy Strategy 2050 and even more so the climate targets. However, the increase in renewable installations, especially in photovoltaics, would have to be greater. The turnaround cannot be achieved at today's pace because, in addition to replacing nuclear power plants, there is a considerable need for additional electricity for decarbonisation in the mobility and building sectors. The Swiss Energy Foundation SES is committed to strengthening electricity generation with renewable energies.
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More on renewable electricity production in a European comparison
More about the expansion of renewable energies, especially photovoltaics
