Longer nuclear lifetime and solar expansion, along with moderate demand growth, result in moderate imports and a high summer surplus
Nuclear extension buys time
With prolonged nuclear life limited solar additions are sufficient to cover demand growth
Run existing nuclear longer
Life of nuclear plants is extended to 65 (Beznau), resp. 80 years (Gösgen and Leibstadt)
Moderate PV additions sufficient
Solar additions of a bit less than 1 GW per year, mostly rooftop
Demand growth limited
Limited demand growth as efficiency gains in conventional demand partly balancing electromobility and heat pump increase
Low system costs
Assumed efficiency gains, prolonged nuclear life and relatively little solar build-out keep system costs low
Energy Mix
Production
Demand
Production
2025
Total generation 73 TWh
2050
Total generation 102 TWh
Demand
2025
Total demand 64 TWh
2050
Total demand 77 TWh
The assumed electricity production and demand in 2050
Transition
The energy mix as we transition to 2050
Demand
Import
Import limit exceeded
PV
Hydro
Biomass
Nuclear
Fossil
2025Winter
TWh
Demand
36.2
Deficit
--
Import
3.5
Import limit exceeded
--
Storage reserve used
--
PV
3
PV Roof
2.5
PV Alpine
0.5
PV Ground
0
Wind
0.1
Hydro
15.1
Run-of-River
6.4
Storage
8.7
Biomass
2
Biomass
2
CCS Biomass
0
Gas
--
Market-Gas
0
Reserve gas power plants
0
Geothermal
--
Nuclear
12.2
Nuclear
12.2
New nuclear
0
Fossil
0.3
Existing fossil fuel power plants
0.3
CCS Fossil Fuels
0
Hard coal
0
Challenges
Import limits exceeded
The energy law limits our imports to 5 TWh. This will be exceeded in 2020 - 2021.
Public opinion
Public opinion needs to accept longer nuclear life (smaller challenge than building new plants)
Transition in part only postponed
After 2050 the existing nuclear plants will reach their end of life and must be replaced
About the scenario developer
economiesuisse
Economiesuisse is the Swiss business federation that advocates for policies promoting economic growth. On energy issues, it supports a balanced approach, encouraging both the use of renewable energy and the maintenance of a competitive economy.
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