The 58,2% of them swiss citizens who participated in the referendum open until May 21 voted in favor of the proposal to gradually close down nuclear power plants. This step marks an important point in the energy history of the country, which has decided to invest in renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.
The decision taken by more than half of the Swiss population represents a major change for the country's energy future. Until now, Switzerland has been heavily dependent on its five nuclear reactors, which generate approximately one-third of the country's electricity.
In this context, it is worth noting that in only four of the 26 Swiss cantons did the supporters of continuing to use nuclear energy after 2050 win the vote. This initiative, which marks the end of nuclear power plants in Switzerland, was described by Green Party MP Adele Thorens Goumaz as a “historic day for the country”.
This change in energy policy is partly a response to the risks posed by nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster. It is important to note that the proposal to close nuclear plants does not establish specific dates for the cessation of operations of each of the plants.
Swiss Energy Strategy until 2050
The Swiss government has outlined a long term strategy for the energy transition, which follows the results of the referendum. The first phase of this strategy, which began in January 2018, seeks to reduce per capita energy consumption using the year 2000 as a reference. The objective is a 16% reduction for 2020 and the 43% by 2035.
The decision to close the plants is based on security and economic reasonsAccording to Swiss authorities, the plants must be disconnected once they reach 50 to 60 years of useful life, although this date is approximate.
A concrete example is the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant, which closed its doors in 2019 after 47 years in operation. The dismantling of the plant It is a process that will take 15 years and will involve around 300 workers. This decommissioning process involves removing tonnes of radioactive materials and ensuring that they are managed safely.
Switzerland's energy future
The gradual closure of nuclear power plants raises a crucial question: how to supply energy that these plants generated. Approximately 40% of Swiss energy comes from nuclear sources, while the other 60% comes from hydroelectric sources. This gap will have to be filled by New initiatives in renewable energy.
The Swiss government has already begun to promote the construction of solar and wind plants. While these technologies are considered the long-term solution, parties such as the Swiss People's Party (SVP) They have questioned its viability, arguing the high cost and the landscape impact.
One of the central arguments of the SVP is that the cost of replacing nuclear power with renewables will be considerable. The change is estimated to cost approximately 200.000 billion Swiss francs (183.000 billion euros) until 2050. The party also maintains that Swiss households will have to pay 3.200 Swiss francs more per year in additional costs, something that the government has rejected. According to the authorities, this increase will be limited to 40 Swiss francs per year due to the higher energy efficiency.
Global impact of nuclear decommissioning
Switzerland faces the challenge of properly managing the nuclear waste generated by the plants. The country has adopted rigorous safety measures to ensure that this waste is stored and treated safely. Currently, construction is underway on a new facility deep geological deposits in which radioactive materials will be stored.
Decommissioning is a Herculean task that requires attention to detail. Every component of the reactor must be cleaned, measured and treated for proper disposal. Some waste, such as asbestos and lead dyes, complicate the clean-up work, but the Swiss authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure a safe and effective dismantling.
This process is complex and requires more than just technical measures. It is also a process that has international implications, as Switzerland joins other European countries such as Germany and Belgium that are in the process of dismantling their nuclear plants.
Removing the last nuclear elements from a plant, as has already been done in Mühleberg, reduces nuclear risks to a minimum. However, the final stages of this process, such as permanent storage of the waste, are expected to take decades.
Switzerland is taking a bold step towards an energy future based on renewables. Although the closure of nuclear power plants presents challenges, advances in clean energy and the planned transition by 2050 augur a more sustainable future for the country.