The citizens want to enshrine more nuclear power in the energy law, while the left-green faction prefers more domestic power. Both sides fail to reach an agreement, but the discussion continues.
### Zürich’s Ambitious Energy Goals
The USA, the EU, and Switzerland all share the same goal: to be carbon neutral by 2050. The canton of Zürich is aiming for an even more ambitious deadline. By 2040, the canton plans to achieve net-zero emissions, a decade earlier than many other regions. This goal is outlined in the revised Energy Act that was recently debated and approved by the Zürich cantonal council.
During the initial phase of detailed discussions a month ago, the target date of 2040 sparked debates. While the left-green faction supported the new goal, the conservatives were skeptical, dismissing it as mere symbolic politics. This discrepancy in viewpoints set the stage for further discussions during the second phase of the debate on Monday.
#### Nuclear Power vs. Renewable Energy
A minority coalition of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) proposed that electricity providers in Zürich should offer products from “low CO2-emission energy generation” rather than renewable energy sources. This proposal specifically refers to nuclear power, highlighting a broader national and municipal debate: should the focus be on nuclear power to reduce CO2 emissions, or should renewable energy sources be expanded due to the safety risks associated with nuclear power plants?
### The Conservatives Push for Nuclear Power
During the debate, SVP councilor Ueli Bamert stated, “Given the slow progress of the energy transition, we cannot afford to exclude nuclear power.” FDP councilor Sarah Fuchs echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to utilize all available means to combat climate change without ideological constraints.
In opposition, GLP councilor Franziska Barmettler argued that nuclear energy is futile. She advocated for a determined expansion of renewable energy sources to send the right signals to the market. This perspective was supported by SP councilor Sylvie Matter and Green councilor David Galeuchet, who emphasized the high costs and inherent dangers of nuclear power.
Despite the minority support for nuclear power, the proposal was ultimately rejected with the combined opposition from the Social Democrats, Greens, and Alternative Left.
#### Suisse-Garantie-Strom
Another point of contention was the origin of the electricity supply. The Green, Alternative Left, and Social Democratic factions advocated for Zürich providers to source electricity predominantly from domestic production. This initiative aimed to encourage municipalities to prioritize Swiss electricity consumption to drive the expansion of renewable energy sources. Currently, only a minority of consumers opt for Swiss electricity products, leaving room for growth in the Suisse-Garantie-Strom sector.
In contrast, SVP councilor Paul von Euw questioned the wisdom of blindly pursuing solar energy production like Germany, emphasizing the importance of cost-effective Swiss electricity production.
Despite the debate, the council followed the commission’s recommendation and rejected the proposal. This decision solidifies Zürich’s commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 while focusing on renewable energy sources rather than nuclear power, even if they originate from abroad.
### National and Regional Perspectives
At the national level, Switzerland is moving in a different direction compared to the Zürich cantonal council. The Federal Council is considering allowing the construction of new nuclear power plants, a move supported by proponents of the Blackout Initiative at the federal level.
Regionally, the city of Winterthur recently voted on nuclear power: the local population rejected an initiative from the SVP calling for the reintroduction of a nuclear power package in the city.
The final decision on the Zürich Energy Act could rest with the electorate, as the SVP and FDP threaten to take the issue to a referendum.
### Conclusion
The debate over the energy policy in Zürich reflects a broader discourse on the balance between nuclear power and renewable energy sources. As the canton strives to achieve ambitious carbon-neutral goals by 2040, the decision to prioritize renewable energy over nuclear power sets a precedent for sustainable energy development. The diverse perspectives and ongoing discussions highlight the complexities of transitioning to a greener future while ensuring energy security and environmental sustainability.