Swiss Parliament Reopens Nuclear Plant Ban Amid Political and Financial Hurdles

On 27 May 2024 the National Council voted 100 to 97 (with two abstentions) to refer the Federal Council’s counter-proposal to the “Stop the Blackout” initiative back to the executive for revision. The motion, supported by the SP, the Greens, the GLP and a majority of the centrist faction, demands detailed financing plans before any framework permits can be issued. The Council of States will consider the revised proposal next week.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050 aims to meet electricity demand with renewable sources—hydropower, solar, wind and biomass—while maintaining a reliable, low-carbon supply. The 2017 nuclear phase-out, which halted new construction, is now being reassessed as the ban on building fresh reactors was technically lifted by the National Council’s earlier approval of the counter-proposal.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• Federal Council & Energy Minister Albert Rösti – argue that baseload power, especially in winter, is essential and that nuclear remains an option if renewables fall short.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• Utility Axpo – operator of Beznau and shareholder in Leibstadt (39.1 %) and Gösgen (25 %); cites “political, regulatory and financial risks” and rules out building a pioneering mini-reactor.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• Alpiq – holds 40 % of Gösgen and 27.4 % of Leibstadt; states that a new plant “does not arise in the current environment and under the current regulatory framework.”

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• Municipalities of Leibstadt and Döttingen (Aargau) – have signaled willingness to allocate part of their territory for a new site.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

Energy expert Walter Rüegg estimates construction, operation and decommissioning at 5–8 billion CHF per gigawatt. Gösgen (1.01 GW) and Leibstadt (1.23 GW) would therefore require roughly 5–10 billion CHF each. Axpo projects the earliest commissioning date at 2050, while broader industry forecasts place any new Swiss reactor no earlier than the mid-2040s.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• The Federal Council maintains that the legal framework now permits granting of construction permits, but stresses the need for a “comprehensive risk assumption” by the state before any private investor proceeds.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• The Committee on the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (Urek-N) emphasizes that keeping nuclear as an option safeguards a “reliable, low-carbon, cost-effective energy supply” should renewable targets slip.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• Energy Minister Rösti warned that “nothing less than the country’s energy security was at stake” and that “objections are slowing down the expansion of hydroelectric and wind power.”

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

Opponents argue that new nuclear plants would be financially untenable without state subsidies, could crowd out hydropower, and would delay renewable deployment. They also cite safety and security concerns, pointing to the centralized nature of nuclear sites as potential targets for terrorism.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• Timeline: industry analysts cite 2045-2046, while Axpo’s internal estimate pushes the date to 2050.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• Cost: Rüegg’s 5–8 billion CHF/GW estimate contrasts with international projects that have exceeded original budgets by up to fourfold (e.g., Finland’s Olkiluoto).

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• SMR viability: while small modular reactors promise faster deployment, no Swiss utility has committed to a pilot, and a U.S. SMR project was halted over cost overruns.

A Reversal of the Nuclear Phase-Out: Switzerland can build nuclear power plants again—but nobody wants to

• “At the moment, no one is willing to invest in a new nuclear power plant anyway, said Clarence Chollet (Greens/NE).” — Clarence Chollet, Greens/NE

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• “Safety Concerns Without subsidies, new nuclear power plants would not be competitive for years to come, noted Marie-France Roth Pasquier (Center/FR).” — Marie-France Roth Pasquier, Center/FR

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• “The centralized organization of nuclear power plants makes them an easy target for terrorist attacks and military strikes, said Niklaus Samuel Gugger (EVP/ZH).” — Niklaus Samuel Gugger, EVP/ZH

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• “A look at Ukraine is enough to understand the extent of this risk.” — Niklaus Samuel Gugger, EVP/ZH

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• “ “This makes no sense” Energy Minister Albert Rösti said that nothing less than the country’s energy security was at stake.” — Albert Rösti, Energy Minister

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

• “This makes no sense” — Albert Rösti, Energy Minister

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being

The Council of States will vote on whether to accept the revised counter-proposal. If approved, the federal government must draft a financing model and initiate site-selection procedures, a process that could extend well into the 2030s before any construction permit is granted.

Close vote: National Council wants nothing to do with new nuclear power plants for the time being