Targets of 35 TWh of renewable energy by 2035 and 45 TWh by 2050, plus 6 TWh of renewable winter electricity, of which 2 TWh hydropower
Roof-PV ramp up until 2035
Roof-PV ramp-up and hydro additions lower imports until 2035
Imports decrease, then increase
After 2035 imports rise as build-out slows and nuclear plants are decommissioned
7.5% increase in hydro
Hydro production is increased by 7.5% until 2050
Decomissioning end 2043
Nuclear plants run 60 years, decomissioning of Leibstadt in 2043
Energy Mix Winter
Production
Demand
Production
2026
Total generation 32.4 TWh
2050
Total generation 32.1 TWh
Demand
2026
Total demand 35.9 TWh
2050
Total demand 44.3 TWh
2050 Winter
Transition Winter
The energy mix as we transition to 2050
Demand
Import
Import atget exceeded
PV
Wind
Hydro
Biomass
Geothermal
Nuclear
Fossil
2026 Winter
TWh
Demand
35.9
Generation
32.3
Deficit
--
Import 3.5
Import
3.5
Import atget exceeded
--
Generation
32.3
Storage reserve used
--
PV 2.4
PV Roof
2.2
PV Alpine
0.3
PV Ground
--
Wind
0.1
Hydro 15.6
Run-of-River
6.3
Storage
9.3
Biomass 1.2
Biomass
1.2
CCS Biomass
--
Gas --
Market-Gas
--
Reserve gas power plants
--
Geothermal
--
Nuclear 12.2
Nuclear
12.2
New nuclear
--
Fossil 0.8
Existing fossil fuel power plants
0.8
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 2040 - 2050.
High Import Dependency post 2045
Rising import needs after nuclear decomissioning require neighbor surplus and EU agreement
Build-out speed solar
Build-out speed of solar until 2035 is more than double the pace of record year 2023. Hard to achieve
High summer surplus in 2030s
Summer surplus rises from 9 to 23 TWh in 2035. Unclear how much of it can be exported.
Additional costs possible
If summer surplus cannot be exported, related revenues will be lost and overall energy bill for Switzerland will rise
How Resilient Is This Scenario? Put It to the Test!
The scenario above assumes normal weather and stable energy imports, but what happens when extreme conditions hit? A harsh winter or import limitations from the EU could impact production, increase demand, and even lead to power shortages. Stress-test your scenario under these challenging conditions and see how it holds up in the face of real-world uncertainties.
Costs
Total Costs, Revenues and Subsidies in CHF until 2050.
Total production costs
253 billion
Accumulated until 2050
Revenues
207 billion
Assuming an average power price of 75 CHF/MWn
Subsidies required
44 billion
Remaining costs not covered by revenues
Average cost
9 billion / year
The annual average of the total cost, 9 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
Energy Law ("Mantelerlass")
The Mantelerlass is Switzerland’s overarching energy law, which sets the framework for the country’s energy policy. It aims to promote energy efficiency, expand renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring a reliable energy supply.
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Methodology reviewed by ETH Zürich
