Baselland votes on law for more renewable energy
Published: Monday, Apr 22nd 2024, 09:50
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On June 9, the electorate of the canton of Basel-Landschaft will have to decide on an amendment to the Energy Act. This stipulates that the development of final energy consumption will enable the net-zero emissions target to be achieved by 2050.
The aim is energy efficiency and "covering energy requirements as far as possible with renewable energies", as the government's legal text states. Several innovations are set out there.
Among other things, the share of renewable energies in total consumption (excluding mobility) is to be increased to at least 70 percent by 2030.
The heating requirement for existing buildings is to be reduced to an average of 40 kilowatt hours per square meter of energy reference area per year by 2050. Municipalities that have a gas distribution network must draw up an energy plan for their area or region. They can be supported in this by the canton.
Electric heat pumps may only be used to heat outdoor swimming pools if the water surface is covered to prevent heat loss.
Majority of the parties are in favor
The SP, Greens-EPP, Center, GLP and FDP parliamentary groups in the Landrat voted in favour of the bill. Opposition came from the SVP and an FDP minority. As a four-fifths majority was therefore not achieved in October 2023, the bill will be put to the ballot box.
It should not be confused with the decree on the Energy Act, which was also passed by the District Council in October. Unlike the law, the decree is not subject to a referendum and can come into force independently of it.
It stipulates that new buildings should be heated with renewable energies. For existing buildings, this changeover is to take place from 2026, provided the heat generator is more than 15 years old. According to the government, the decree should come into force on October 1, 2024. An appeal against this by the SVP to the cantonal court is still pending.
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