A balanced build-out of renewables, focusing on solar and wind. Green gas as winter-backup
Balanced Renewables Mix
A diverse range of renewable technologies, with a focus on securing domestic winter supply.
Alpine Solar and Wind in Winter
Alpine solar and wind bolster energy generation, especially in winter.
Harnessing Solar Power
Expanding ground and rooftop solar to meet a growing share of energy demand.
Sustaining Hydropower
Hydropower remains crucial for flexibility and reliability.
New Consumers Drive Demand
Electromobility, hydrogen, and heat pumps are increasing demand more than efficiency efforts can offset.
Gas secures supply in Winter
Gas, including hydrogen, replaces nuclear in winter after decommissioning
Energy Mix Year
Production
Demand
Production
2025
Total generation 73 TWh
2050
Total generation 98 TWh
Demand
2025
Total demand 63 TWh
2050
Total demand 88 TWh
2050 Year
Transition Year
The energy mix as we transition to 2050
Demand
PV
Wind
Hydro
Biomass
Gas
Geothermal
Nuclear
Fossil
2025 Year
TWh
Demand
63.4
Generation
73.3
Deficit
--
Import --
Import
--
Import atget exceeded
--
Generation
73.3
Storage reserve used
--
PV 9.6
PV Roof
9.5
PV Alpine
0.1
PV Ground
--
Wind
0.2
Hydro 36.6
Run-of-River
18.4
Storage
18.2
Biomass 2
Biomass
2
CCS Biomass
--
Gas --
Market-Gas
--
Reserve gas power plants
--
Geothermal
--
Nuclear 23
Nuclear
23
New nuclear
--
Fossil 1.9
Existing fossil fuel power plants
1.9
CCS Fossil Fuels
--
Hard coal
--
Challenges
Import target exceeded
The energy law sets a non-binding 5 TWh import target, which will be exceeded in 2033 - 2040.
Import Dependency
Import needs after nuclear decomissioning require neighbor surplus and EU agreement
Public Opposition
Public may oppose new infrastructure (wind, alpine solar) due to landscape concerns
Weather Dependency
System gets more and more weather-dependent with wind, solar and hydro
Reliable Backup Needed
Backup, e.g. gas or nuclear may be required when imports are limited and renewables fall short
Costs
Total Costs, Revenues and Subsidies in CHF until 2050.
Total production costs
242 billion
Accumulated until 2050
Revenues
218 billion
Assuming an average power price of 75 CHF/MWn
Subsidies required
37 billion
Remaining costs not covered by revenues
Average cost
8.6 billion / year
The annual average of the total cost, 8.6 bn CHF per year, is less than 2% of the (estimated) Swiss GDP in 2024 (825 bn. CHF).
Levelized cost
We use Levelized costs of electricity (LCOE). Future costs may rise as cheaper plants are replaced. High demand and costly technologies like rooftop PV can further increase costs. See Expert Mode for details on technology costs.
2020s
2030s
2040s
Levelized cost (LCOE) ⌀ CHF/MWh
About the scenario developer
Axpo
Axpo is Switzerland's largest power producer and an international leader in energy trading as well as in the marketing of solar and wind power. Around 7,000 employees combine experience and expertise with a passion for innovation and the pursuit of ever better solutions. The “Renewables” scenario is one of several official scenarios from Axpo for a renewable energy future for Switzerland.
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Methodology reviewed by ETH Zürich