Summary

The Swiss Council of States has voted in favor of lifting the construction ban for nuclear power plants. With an indirect counter-proposal to the "Blackout Initiative," the nuclear energy law is to be amended to enable new nuclear power plants again. The majority from the Center, SVP, and FDP sees this as a necessary option to secure long-term electricity supply. Critical voices from the left warn of delays to the energy transition and unresolved safety risks.

People

Topics

  • Swiss energy policy
  • Nuclear energy and electricity supply
  • Blackout Initiative
  • Energy transition

Clarus Lead

The Council of States has approved the lifting of the construction ban for nuclear power plants in effect since 2017 with a clear majority. Instead of supporting the original "Blackout Initiative," the chamber followed the indirect counter-proposal from the Federal Government, which is intended to amend the nuclear energy law. The political reversal is welcomed by conservatives and the economy as protection against future electricity shortages – critics warn of delays to the energy transition and point to unresolved disposal issues.

Detailed Summary

Switzerland is facing a reorientation of energy policy: the Council of States has clearly voted in favor of allowing new nuclear power plants again. Not the "Blackout Initiative" of the bourgeois parties, but the Federal Government's counter-proposal prevailed. This approach makes it possible to amend the nuclear energy law in a targeted manner without directly accepting the popular initiative. The coalition of the Center, SVP, and FDP argues with supply security: renewable energies are growing too slowly, and an electricity shortage represents the "most expensive and biggest risk."

Federal Councilor Albert Rösti reassured: no nuclear power plant construction will be decided today; there is currently a lack of funding and concrete projects. Nuclear power should only remain an option to secure sovereignty and prosperity. However, the Greens, SP, and parts of the Center faction view this opening skeptically. They fear that investments in lengthy nuclear power plant projects will slow down the faster implementation of renewable energy. Maya Graf (Greens) has already announced a referendum. In particular, the unresolved questions of nuclear waste disposal and the historical lesson of Fukushima (anniversary: 11.03.2011) shape the counter-arguments.

The Council of States has thus passed a bill that opens up the nuclear energy law – without immediate construction projects. The National Council must now decide whether it will follow this course. The political irony: Doris Leuthard (Center-CVP), who once orchestrated the nuclear power plant phase-out, is now witnessing its reversal with the support of her current party colleagues.

Key Points

  • The Council of States approves the lifting of the construction ban for nuclear power plants with a clear majority
  • The indirect counter-proposal from the Federal Government replaces the popular "Blackout Initiative"
  • Supporters (Center/SVP/FDP) view nuclear power as a necessary option against electricity shortages
  • Opponents (Greens/SP) warn of delays to the energy transition and unresolved safety issues
  • A referendum has already been announced; the National Council decides as the next stage

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: What concrete scenarios and forecasts on electricity demand development and renewable expansion does the Federal Government have? How reliable are these projections given technological developments (battery storage, solar efficiency)?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: What economic interests are driving support? How do energy suppliers (BKW, Alpiq, Axpo) benefit from an open nuclear energy law, even if no construction is imminent?

  3. Alternatives and Causality: Is it scientifically proven that renewable energy cannot possibly be sufficient, or is the nuclear power option primarily being opened due to time constraints and political risk reduction?

  4. Implementation Risks: How realistic are new nuclear power plant projects in Switzerland – given construction times of 10–15 years, international cost explosions, and absent current projects?

  5. Disposal Unsolved: How can the construction ban be lifted if the safe storage of highly radioactive waste (keyword: deep geological repository) is still unresolved?

  6. Acceptance and Legitimacy: Why is the "Blackout Initiative" not put to a vote, but replaced by a counter-proposal? Is the idea of sovereignty losing weight?

  7. Energy Transition Consistency: Can funding and investment for renewables flow in parallel with nuclear power plant preparations, or is there effectively a displacement scenario?

Sources

Primary Source: Blackout Initiative: Council of States wants to allow nuclear power plant construction in principle again – SRF News, 11.03.2026

Verification Status: ✓ 11.03.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 11.03.2026