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Nuclear Power: Why Change Your Mind When Nothing Has Changed?
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Energy & Infrastructure

Nuclear Power: Why Change Your Mind When Nothing Has Changed?

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • A director argues that a fully renewable energy supply is both safe and realistic, challenging a recent shift in opinion on nuclear power.
  • The author criticizes a politician's change of stance on nuclear energy, questioning the basis for the reversal.
  • The piece highlights studies indicating new nuclear plants would require public subsidies and lower electricity resale prices.

A prominent energy foundation director is questioning a recent shift in opinion regarding nuclear power, asserting that a completely renewable energy supply is both secure and achievable. Nils Epprecht, director of the Energy Foundation, directly challenges the revised stance of national councilor Benjamin Roduit on nuclear energy.

the day I changed my mind about nuclear power

— Benjamin RoduitRoduit's description of his change of opinion on nuclear energy.

Epprecht criticizes Roduit's public declaration of changing his mind on nuclear power, particularly his statement that transitioning from a "simple citizen interested in politics" to a national councilor made it impossible to "take refuge in bar theories." Epprecht implies that Roduit's reasoning for this volte-face lacks substantive analysis.

it was no longer possible [...] to take refuge in bar theories

— Benjamin RoduitRoduit's justification for his revised stance on nuclear energy after becoming a national councilor.

Furthermore, Epprecht points to a study on the financing of nuclear power plants conducted by HES-SO in Roduit's own canton. This study, corroborated by energy company Alpiq, concluded that new nuclear facilities cannot proceed without public support. Such subsidized energy, the report suggests, would inevitably depress the resale prices of electricity, raising further questions about the economic viability of new nuclear investments.

new plants could not see the light of day without public support

— Nils EpprechtEpprecht citing the conclusion of a study on nuclear plant financing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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