Summary

On May 13, 2026, the Swiss Federal Council adopted a report on postulate 23.4152 examining the long-term operation of the Gösgen and Leibstadt nuclear power plants for up to 80 years. The government concludes that such operation would be technically feasible and economically viable in most cases. The report also examines whether new nuclear power plant construction could improve electricity supply security in winter, should the expansion of renewable energies not progress quickly enough. State financial support for long-term operation is currently deemed unnecessary.

Persons

  • Burkart (Postulant)

Topics

  • Nuclear energy
  • Electricity supply security
  • Energy policy
  • Long-term operation

Clarus Lead

The decision signals a reorientation of Swiss energy policy under pressure: while the expansion of renewable energies is progressing slowly, existing nuclear power plants are being reactivated as a strategic reserve for winter electricity supply. The absence of subsidy demands suggests improved market conditions for nuclear power, yet regulatory uncertainties—particularly the risk of premature shutdowns—remain central obstacles to operator investment decisions.

Detailed Summary

The report builds on preliminary work by the Federal Office of Energy (BFE), which had already confirmed in 2024 the technical and economic feasibility of 60-year long-term operation. The new analysis extends this perspective by a decade and examines the conditions for 80-year operation of both facilities. Under realistic assumptions about electricity price development and investment costs, required technical upgrades should be economically amortized—without state aid being necessary.

However, the report identifies significant non-economic risks. Political and regulatory uncertainties—such as possible premature shutdown decisions or stricter safety standards—could jeopardize profitability retroactively. A stable legal framework is therefore identified as a central prerequisite. Additionally, power plant operators warn of skilled labor shortages: maintaining specialized expertise over several decades presents an operational challenge. The Federal Council plans to analyze these issues in greater depth as part of the Energy Perspectives 2060.

Key Findings

  • 80-year operation technically and economically feasible – under realistic electricity price and cost scenarios without subsidy requirements
  • Regulatory stability is a key factor – political uncertainties and possible shutdowns jeopardize economic profitability
  • Winter electricity security in focus – long-term operation plus renewable energy expansion are intended to reduce import dependency

Critical Questions

  1. Electricity Price Assumptions: What price forecasts underlie the economic viability calculations, and how sensitive are these to market volatility?

  2. Regulatory Risk: What concrete scenarios for safety requirements were tested, and how would these affect investment profitability?

  3. Skilled Labor Security: What measures does the federal government plan to guarantee the availability of nuclear power specialist expertise over 80 years?

  4. Alternative Scenarios: How would accelerated expansion of renewable energies reduce the necessity for long-term operation, and what are realistic expansion timelines?

  5. New Construction Economics: Under what cost scenarios would new nuclear power plant construction be competitive compared to long-term operation?

  6. Shutdown Risk: What parliamentary or political triggers could lead to premature shutdown, and how are these accounted for in the scenarios?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council – Report in Fulfillment of Postulate 23.4152 "Enable Continued Operation of Existing Nuclear Power Plants" – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/KFsl_jemlcYglhQ7k9K8Z

Verification Status: ✓ 13.05.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 13.05.2026