Switzerland is one of the laggards in wind and solar power
Switzerland ranks at the bottom of Europe in terms of electricity production from wind and solar power. according to a study by the Swiss Energy Foundation, 11 per cent of domestic electricity production is generated in this way. This is 7.2 percentage points more than five years ago. Neighbouring countries often record higher increases.
In a new study by the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES), Switzerland ranks at the bottom of the league table for electricity production from solar and wind energy. It produces 681 kilowatt hours of solar power per capita and 19 kilowatt hours of wind power. In total, the country produces 700 kilowatt hours per capita from solar and wind energy, putting it in 22nd place out of 28 EU member states.
Sweden is the leader in wind power production with 3930 kilowatt hours per capita, followed by Denmark with 3448 kilowatt hours. Even neighbouring Austria comes in at 1004 kilowatt hours. In terms of solar production per capita, the Netherlands leads with 1206 kilowatt hours per capita, followed by Spain and Cyprus. However, even Austria has 941 kilowatt hours and Germany 888 kilowatt hours.
Switzerland was able to increase its production of electricity from wind and solar from 7.2 per cent to 11 per cent within five years. However, other countries in Europe often achieved higher increases of up to 20 percentage points in the same period. In a European comparison, only Malta, Slovenia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Latvia and, bringing up the rear, Slovakia are behind Switzerland in the production of electricity from wind and solar per capita.
In the view of the SES, wind energy in particular must be expanded in Switzerland, according to a press release. A total of 11 per cent of domestic electricity consumption is generated by wind and solar, 7.2 percentage points more than five years ago. European neighbours
The new Electricity Act shows that the Swiss population wants to intensify sustainable electricity production in the future. Political instruments for implementing the law are already active or will be from 2026. Their impact will become apparent in the coming years, according to the SES.
The exchange of electricity with neighbours also holds great potential for Switzerland. Switzerland is already integrated into the European electricity grid with over 40 cross-border transmission grids. European electricity trading is central to Switzerland’s ability to obtain winter electricity from its European neighbours’ wind turbines, according to the press release. The planned EU electricity agreement forms the basis for increased electricity trading.