Energy Minister Rösti sees good chances for an energy shell decree
Published: Thursday, Jan 18th 2024, 11:00
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Federal Councillor and Energy Minister Albert Rösti is confident that he will be able to win the looming referendum on the energy decree. However, he told the assembled energy sector at the Swiss Electricity Congress in Bern on Thursday that the decree would have to be explained well for this to happen.
According to Rösti, there is currently "no alternative" to the initiative to accelerate the energy transition. The planned law is intended to drive forward the energy transition and accelerate the expansion of renewable energies such as hydroelectric, solar and wind power plants - for example through more subsidies. Electricity production should be given priority over nature and landscape conservation.
An alliance of environmentalists and wind power opponents intends to submit a referendum against the bill on Thursday (today).
"Talk about 'power supply'"
It is simply wrong to say that the whole country is being plastered with solar installations and wind turbines, said Rösti. He himself is not known as a "wind fan", said the Federal Councillor. But the fact is: "We need more domestic electricity." The blanket decree is a good compromise between the goal of security of supply and the idea of protection.
Out in the country, however, nobody knows what the blanket decree is. "So talk about 'electricity supply'," Rösti urged the industry at the electricity congress.
The date for the referendum has not yet been set. However, he assumes that it will take place in June, according to the Federal Council.
The Swiss Electricity Congress is an annual meeting of the industry - this year with over 400 participants from business, science and politics. It is organized by the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) and Electrosuisse (Association for Electrical, Energy and Information Technology).
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