In principle, constructing facilities for new renewable energy production is sensible and desirable, and also enjoys a high degree of approval from the general public. With the exception of photovoltaics, however, concrete projects can often run into local resistance because suitable locations for wind farms and small-scale hydroelectric plants are often situated in pristine nature reserves.

Overall, this situation has resulted in a much slower introduction of projects to take advantage of the new renewable energies than would be desirable. For example, electricity generated from wind and solar energy in Switzerland is still less than 0.1 percent of total national electricity consumption, despite major efforts and considerable subsidy payments in support of these technologies. Geothermal energy is the new renewable energy with the greatest potential in Switzerland, but it is still far from being technically exploitable.

The new renewable energies will not be able to cover the electricity deficit projected for 2020 and after. Despite this, however, they are likely to contribute approximately one third of current electricity requirements after 2050.