Switzerland: in 2021 80% of the electricity consumed is renewable

In 2021 80% of the electricity consumed in Switzerland is renewable: this is the way!

Yesterday the Federal Office for Energy published a press release communicating that about 80% (compared to 76% in 2020) of the electricity used in Switzerland in 2021 (mix distributed by suppliers based on electricity labeling) was generated from renewable sources. Most of it (68%) was generated from large hydroelectric plants and 11% each from photovoltaics, wind, small hydroelectric plants, and biomass. Only 19% of the energy came from nuclear sources, and only 2% from fossil fuels and waste.

Source: Pronovo

Switzerland is one of the few countries in Europe where since 2018 there is the full electricity disclosure. This means that “gray electricity,” or electricity of uncertain origin, is no longer allowed. This brought more awareness to the final consumers, preferring a higher percentage of renewables in their consumption mix. Furthermore, full disclosure has favored the use of Swiss Guarantees of Origin in the first place, while a smaller part of GOs has been imported from the European Union.

No Swiss GOs have been used in Europe because to date the Swiss Guarantees of Origin are no longer recognized in Europe for the purposes of electricity labeling pursuant to RED II.