On 21 May 2017, Swiss voters approved the revised Energy Act, the first package of measures of the Federal Council's «Energy Strategy 2050». The text, challenged by an SVP referendum, aims to cut consumption, strengthen energy efficiency, promote renewables and ban the construction of new nuclear power plants.
The vote came in the wake of the Fukushima disaster (2011), which had led the Federal Council and Parliament to decide on a gradual nuclear phase-out. The law closes no existing plant but bans new ones, betting on renewables and energy savings.
The law was accepted by 58.2 % of voters. Four cantons rejected it (Glarus, Schwyz, Aargau, Obwalden). As an optional referendum, only a majority of the people was required. Turnout reached 42.9 %.
▲ Cantons that accepted 22 cantons: Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel-City, Basel-Country, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Outer Rhodes, Appenzell Inner Rhodes, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Jura. | ▼ Cantons that rejected 4 cantons: Glarus (≈56 %), Schwyz (≈56 %), Aargau (≈52 %, the «nuclear canton») and Obwalden (narrowly). |
Actors and personalities
▲ Yes camp • Federal Council (Doris Leuthard, DETEC) • SP, Greens, CVP, GLP, BDP • Part of the FDP • Environmental organisations and the solar industry | ▼ No camp • SVP (author of the referendum) • Part of the FDP • economiesuisse (divided) • Pro-nuclear circles and some large consumers |
Arguments and verdicts
▲ Arguments FOR (Yes camp) Phasing out nuclear and cutting foreign dependence « Betting on renewables strengthens Switzerland and reduces its dependence on imported resources. » — Doris Leuthard / Yes camp ✓~ Partly confirmed The ban on new plants took effect and Mühleberg was shut down at the end of 2019. But the lag in renewables and winter import dependence remained sensitive — to the point of requiring the 2024 Electricity Act. Source: admin.ch, SFOE, RTS. Jobs and efficiency gains « The strategy creates jobs and boosts energy efficiency. » — Yes camp ✓~ Partly confirmed Solar PV boomed after 2022, supporting industry employment, and efficiency improved. However, additional renewable output stayed well below annual targets. Source: SFOE, AES (supply index). Moderate measures, a capped grid surcharge « The grid surcharge will be capped at 2.3 centimes per kilowatt-hour. » — Federal Council ✓ Argument confirmed The grid surcharge was indeed set at 2.3 ct/kWh as announced and did not spiral. The law's central financial element held true. Source: SFOE, Energy Act (EnA). | ▼ Arguments AGAINST (No camp) A risk of electricity shortage « Without nuclear, Switzerland's supply will be threatened, especially in winter. » — SVP / No camp ✓~ Partly confirmed The energy crisis of winter 2022-2023 raised a real shortage risk and led to emergency measures (reserve plants, savings appeals). The fear of winter fragility gained credibility, with no actual shortage to date. Source: RTS, SFOE, 2022 winter reserve. Renewables will not keep pace « Renewable energy cannot replace nuclear in time. » — Opponents ✓ Argument confirmed Renewable build-out (excluding hydropower) missed its annual targets by 50 to 70 % per the AES. Switzerland had to pass a 2024 Electricity Act, then the Federal Council proposed lifting the nuclear ban — confirming the slowness denounced. Source: AES, admin.ch, Le Temps. A hefty bill for households « The strategy will cost a family of four about CHF 3,200 a year. » — SVP ✗~ Partly refuted The figure put forward by opponents was widely contested and did not hold: the grid surcharge stayed capped at 2.3 ct/kWh. Later electricity price rises stem mainly from the 2022 market crisis, not the law's direct costs. Source: SFOE, fact-checks (RTS, Tages-Anzeiger). |
Affiches de campagne (5)
Factual record
2 Confirmed | 3 Partly confirmed | 1 Partly refuted | 0 Refuted |
| ✓ | The nuclear phase-out sealed The ban on building new nuclear plants took effect, and the Mühleberg plant was taken offline at the end of 2019. Existing plants keep operating as long as deemed safe. Source: admin.ch, SFOE, BKW. |
| ~ | Renewables too slow Renewable output build-out (excluding hydropower) stayed well below targets (annual targets missed by 50 to 70 %). To accelerate, voters approved the 2024 Electricity Act («Mantelerlass») with 68.7 %. Source: AES, admin.ch. |
| ~ | Supply back at the forefront The winter 2022 crisis put supply security back at the centre (reserve plants, savings appeals). In 2024 the Federal Council proposed lifting the ban on new nuclear plants, a counter-project to the «Stop the Blackout» initiative. Source: RTS, DETEC, admin.ch. |
The 2017 vote sealed Switzerland's post-Fukushima course: no new nuclear plants, priority to renewables and efficiency. In principle, that course held — the ban is in force and Mühleberg closed.
But the pace partly vindicated the No camp. Renewable build-out fell markedly behind, and the 2022 energy crisis lent credibility to the fear of winter fragility. Switzerland had to legislate again in 2024 (Electricity Act).
More strikingly, in 2024 the Federal Council proposed reopening the door to nuclear, partly against the 2017 logic — a sign that the supply question, central for opponents, had not been settled. The «exploding bill» argument waved by the SVP, however, did not materialise, as the grid surcharge stayed capped as promised.