New nuclear power plant could threaten thousands of jobs

The construction of a new nuclear power plant in Switzerland could jeopardize up to 16,000 jobs in the renewable energy and construction sectors, according to a study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). The research was commissioned by the Energy Foundation, an organization supporting a referendum against the return of nuclear power.

The study, reported by SonntagsBlick, indicates that simply lifting the ban on new nuclear construction, even without a specific project, could put between 5,800 and 10,600 jobs at risk over a decade. If a plant were actually planned, this figure could rise to between 10,000 and 16,000 jobs during the same period.

Experts argue that jobs created by the nuclear sector would not compensate for these potential losses, as the necessary technology and expertise would need to be imported, resulting in low added value for Switzerland. The sectors most likely to be affected include solar energy, home automation, and building energy renovation. For solar energy alone, the number of full-time equivalents could drop by 64% by 2035 compared to a scenario without new nuclear power, falling from 20,700 to 7,400 positions.

These sectors are currently significant drivers of job creation in Switzerland and, unlike the nuclear industry, largely rely on a locally anchored value chain. Nils Epprecht, director of the Energy Foundation, stated, "The ZHAW study shows that continued investment in solar energy, energy efficiency, and building renovation not only constitutes the main lever for achieving climate goals but also a powerful engine for job creation in Switzerland."

The backdrop to this study is the ongoing debate surrounding a referendum. Last summer, parliament adopted the Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal to the popular initiative "Stop the blackout, electricity for all at all times." This law permits the lifting of the ban on constructing new nuclear power plants in Switzerland. A coalition of Green, Social Democratic, and Green Liberal parties has launched a referendum to oppose this measure. In 2017, Swiss voters approved Energy Strategy 2050 by over 58%, which prohibited new nuclear plants while allowing existing ones to continue operating.

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The ZHAW study shows that continued investment in solar energy, energy efficiency, and building renovation not only constitutes the main lever for achieving climate goals but also a powerful engine for job creation in Switzerland.