Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Switzerland 2018
Switzerland has the lowest carbon intensity among all IEA countries, owing largely
to the carbon free electricity sector that is dominated by nuclear and hydro generation.
However, following the 2017 decision of the Swiss people to gradually phase out nuclear
power, Switzerland’s energy sector is now undergoing a considerable transition.
Filling the gap left by nuclear power closures while maintaining low carbon generation
and high standards of supply security will be one of the challenges that Switzerland
has to address in its long-term energy strategy. The country’s Energy Strategy 2050
maps the way towards a low-carbon economy in which higher energy efficiency and renewable
energy sources replace nuclear energy.
In this context, the latest IEA review of Switzerland’s energy policies focuses on
two areas that are critical to guiding it towards a more secure and sustainable energy
future: the design of the electricity market and the climate policy for the post-2020
period.
The new energy strategy will require opening the Swiss electricity market and full
integration into the European electricity market to meet future energy needs. The
IEA encourages the Swiss government to bring ongoing negotiations with the European
Union on an electricity agreement to a successful outcome.
Switzerland’s carbon dioxide levy on stationary fuels and its automatic upward adjustment
have proven highly effective in shifting energy demand from oil towards gas and renewable
energy sources. However, more needs to be done to limit emissions from transport.
Published on October 12, 2018
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