Nuclear power: righting Leuthard’s mistakes

The longer it takes, the more wrong the nuclear phase-out plan, which voters voted for in 2017, becomes. The 2050 energy strategy is based on wrong forecasts. The expansion of renewable energy sources is happening much more slowly than promised. And also because left-wing associations such as Pro Natura or the Landscape Conservation Foundation are blocking important projects.

On top of that, Switzerland will need more electricity than originally assumed. On the one hand, because energy-intensive areas such as transport or construction are being remodelled accordingly. On the other hand, because of immigration. The Federal Council’s decision to phase out nuclear power and the associated restructuring of the electricity industry is not necessary in any way, but the figures are incorrect.

In 2013, the environment ministry still assumed that “around nine million people” would live in Switzerland by 2050. The then CVP federal councillor Doris Leuthard and her officials had miscalculated by a full 20 years – the incorrect AHV forecast, on the other hand, was just a careless mistake.

The state government has long recognized that its predecessor had made a serious miscalculation. In its response to the hypothesis put forward by FDP President Thierry Burkart, the Federal Council has unambiguously acknowledged his criticism of the failed energy strategy. Those who have remained silent seem to agree with this. What’s more: Under the leadership of Senior Vice-President Albert Rösti, the government is willing to consider the construction of new nuclear power plants again in future energy policy.

She can hammer in the first nail on the head on Wednesday. If you believe CH Media’s reports, the Federal Council will discuss the so-called blackout initiative at its first meeting after the summer vacation. It wants to lift the ban on new nuclear power plants, but at the same time insist on “climate-friendly” electricity production.

According to the article, Rosti has put forward a counterproposal, hoping to achieve technological openness without making concessions on climate policy. In the future, not only nuclear power can be used again, but also oil and gas can be used as emergency power plants if necessary. First comes domestic electricity supply, then saving the planet – Rosti has thus completely changed the strategy of his predecessor Leuthard.

The Energy Minister’s approach will most likely be supported by the conservative majority in the Federal Council. Thanks to the four-to-three constellation, one can hope that the government will learn from past mistakes. In parliament, the SVP and the FDP also understand that energy policy is more about physics than ideological considerations.

The Centre Party will also play a decisive role in this document. While their state councillors are certainly willing to talk about climate-friendly nuclear energy, the State Council still does not want to know anything about it. Is it the legacy of Leuthard that is too heavy – or is it the credulity of some centrist politicians? They still do not realise that those who no longer need nuclear power are in some way the very ones who are standing in the way of new hydro and solar projects.

The energy policy contradictions of the left will resolve themselves at some point. Switzerland will either continue to be able to generate electricity or it will lose its prosperity. A return to nuclear power will be the first step back to energy security, the first step back to normalcy. This prediction is absolutely correct.