Energy transition and challenges for wind energy in Switzerland Maya Jegen, Université du Québec à Montréal Climate Change and Renewable Energy Policy in the EU and Canada Workshop, October 1-2, 2015 Griesspass, Wallis

Research background  study about the social acceptance of potential wind energy projects in the Eastern part of Switzerland  commissioned by the Swiss government and three cantons (Graubünden, St. Gallen, Thurgau)  research team: Maya Jegen & Rolf Wüstenhagen with Andrea Tabi & Katharina Meyer Objective:  assessing issues of social acceptance in the Eastern part of Switzerland, with particular interest in energy literacy and regional particularities Methodology:  stakeholder interviews (N=18) & panel survey (N=1095)

Swiss energy policy in a nutshell Political commitment to sustainable energy :  Energy Article in the Federal Constitution (1990): obligation to ensure an adequate, secure, economical and ecological energy supply, and the economical and efficient use of energy  CO 2 Act (1999, 2011): reducing GHG emissions by at least 20 % by 2020 (compared to 1990) instruments: carbon tax, emission trading, etc.  2011: federal government decides to phase out nuclear energy (“energy transition”) Energy Strategy 2050 in 2 steps: 1.supporting (e.g. feed-in tariffs) 2.steering (e.g. taxes)

Electricity production (2014) Source: Swiss Federal Office of Energy

Energy Strategy 2050: 1 st Step  use of energy efficiency potential  use of remaining hydropower potential  massive increase in “new” renewable energy: State support (decisions pending in Parliament) - increase of feed-in-tariffs ? - lowering restrictions for protection of landscapes? Open questions: social acceptance of increasing renewable energy, especially wind energy

Current wind energy capacity

Area of the survey panel

Preliminary findings  (surprisingly) high energy literacy  high support for phasing out nuclear energy  high support for promoting renewable energy, especially hydropower and solar, but also wind What source of energy should your canton encourage?

Preliminary findings  81% would (rather) agree to a wind power plant in their municipality  highest support among sympathizers of the Green/Social Democratic Party, and among high earners and people under 50  BUT: acceptance well above 50% across the survey sample  49% would even consider the construction of a wind power plant on protected land

Preliminary findings Choice experiment shows the ranking of concerns: 1.ecological impacts (30%) 2.site (23%) 3.promoter (21%) 4.use of revenues (16%) 5.participation (11%)

Veto points Given the political commitment and rather favourable public opinion, why does Switzerland have a hard time boosting wind energy?  federalism: overall objectives on the federal level, but 26 cantonal energy policies  multilevel decentralization and direct democracy: citizens always have the final say in a municipal referendum  sectoral policy overlap with diverging objectives and timelines: energy vs. territorial planning vs. environment  “regulatory density”  uncertainty in terms of planning and investment

Conclusion Institutional design plays in favour of wind energy sceptics, even if there is no substantial mobilisation against wind power Calandawind, Haldenstein