Voters in Switzerland have rejected the idea of a rapid abandonment of nuclear energy in today’s referendum, following a public debate in which concerns about losing energy independence outweighed fears regarding the safety of five national nuclear power plants, reports Reuters.
According to preliminary results, 55 percent of citizens voted against the initiative.
The Swiss government and industry have vigorously lobbied against the idea of shutting down nuclear power plants, emphasizing that such a move would lead to shortages, increased costs, and the nation’s dependence on coal-fired power plants in neighboring Germany.
– We are pleased that Swiss voters have provided such an explicit result – said Heinz Karrer, president of the Economiesuisse group that protects the interests of entrepreneurs.
Switzerland has an energy strategy until 2050, aiming for a gradual replacement of nuclear energy, which covers about one-third of the required capacity, with renewable sources, including solar and wind. The strategy involves closing reactors, but without deadlines. Had the initiative passed, the Muehleberg and Beznau I and II reactors would have been shut down as early as next year, followed by Goesgen in 2024 and Leibstadt in 2029.
