Photovoltaics & wind power: Switzerland misses the boat

In a short study (see at the very bottom), the SES Energy Foundation compared the per capita production of solar and wind energy in Switzerland and the 27 countries of the European Union (plus Great Britain). The result: Switzerland ranks 24th, just ahead of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Latvia. Only 4.7 percent of electricity consumption in this country is generated with the two new renewable technologies, it says. In Denmark, the figure is 54 percent. In comparison with the nine surrounding countries, Switzerland is in second-to-last place.

Photovoltaics: CH still in 8th place

According to SES, Northern European countries have topped the list for years: Denmark, Germany and Sweden all produce many times more wind energy than Switzerland. Ireland has recently displaced Germany from the top 3. If one looks exclusively at photovoltaics, Switzerland is still in 8th place. "We are beaten here by Germany, Malta, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands, i.e. in part also by more northerly countries with less solar radiation," says SES.

New energy law must focus on expansion

The Federal Council will present its message on the new Energy Act is expected to be presented before the end of June. Expectations are high. Felix Nipkow, head of renewable energy at SES, says: "In particular, the expansion targets must be clearly increased in the law so that they are in line with climate targets. By 2035, we need to increase annual production from new renewables by 35 to 45 terawatt hours."

This would correspond to an increase by a factor of 12 to 17 compared to today's production. According to SES, 311 kilowatt hours (kWh) are produced from solar and wind power per Swiss inhabitant today; by 2035, this figure should be around 4,000 to 5,000 kWh. The lion's share will come from solar energy. The energy law could create the necessary planning and investment security for this.

Source: SES

Click here for the country comparison: ses21_comparison21

Click here for the short study: 20210617_E_Kurzstudie_Laendervergleich_2020