Country report
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Switzerland 2018 Review
Switzerland
Switzerland has the lowest carbon intensity among IEA countries, owing to a carbon-free electricity sector dominated by nuclear and hydro generation. However, following a 2017 referendum where the Swiss voted to gradually phase-out nuclear power, Switzerland’s energy sector is undergoing a considerable transition.
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Filling the gap left by shutting nuclear 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 post-2020. Meeting future energy needs will require opening the Swiss electricity market to full integration with the European electricity market.
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 toward gas and renewable energy sources. However, more needs to be done to limit emissions from transport.
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 post-2020. Meeting future energy needs will require opening the Swiss electricity market to full integration with the European electricity market.
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 toward gas and renewable energy sources. However, more needs to be done to limit emissions from transport.
Last updated Dec 16, 2021
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Switzerland 2018 In force National