Strong energy future needs wind power in Winter

Axpo has joined forces with representatives from the energy sector, industry associations and environmental organisations to establish an alliance opposing anti-wind power forest protection and municipal protection initiatives due to be voted on in Switzerland. The alliance will counter both proposals with facts and evidence, arguing that a secure energy supply depends on diversity. The Swiss Federal Council also recommends rejecting the initiatives, stating they would severely restrict the development of wind energy in Switzerland. As a result, an important contribution to winter energy would be lost, weakening Switzerland’s long-term security of supply.

In brief:

Axpo joins representatives from the energy sector, industry associations and environmental organisations to launch an alliance against two anti-wind initiatives. The Environmental Alliance also opposes both proposals.
The initiatives would limit Switzerland’s ability to strengthen its winter energy supply through domestic electricity production. The Federal Council has described the Forest Protection Initiative as a “de facto technology ban”.
Responsible development instead of blanket obstruction: Axpo assesses every project against economic, environmental and regional criteria.

This week, Axpo joined representatives from the energy sector, industry associations and environmental organisations to establish an alliance to counter the Forest Protection Initiative and Municipal Protection Initiative with facts and evidence. Both proposals would effectively prevent the further development of wind energy in Switzerland – a technology that can make an important contribution to the country’s future energy supply, particularly during winter when electricity is most needed. Blocking wind power in such a fundamental way would not only affect individual projects but undermine the security of Switzerland’s energy supply.

Wind energy strengthens winter energy supply

The Axpo Energy Reports show that Switzerland needs a balanced mix of technologies to ensure a reliable, affordable and low-emissions electricity supply. Wind energy offers a particular seasonal advantage: most of its electricity generation occurs during the winter complementing solar power, which produces the majority of its output during summer. The two initiatives would block a large share of this potential and reduce Switzerland’s ability to strengthen its winter energy supply through domestic generation.

Technology ban with no additional protection

Today, the Federal Council adopted its official messaging on the initiatives and recommends rejecting both proposals without a counterproposal.

Its assessment is clear: Switzerland’s existing Forest Act already provides effective protection for forests. Wind energy projects are already excluded from the most valuable and sensitive forest areas, a principle that was further reinforced through the Electricity Act adopted in 2024.

The Forest Protection Initiative would not provide additional environmental benefits. However, by introducing a mandatory 150-metre setback from forests and wooded pastures, it would prevent around 85 per cent of planned wind turbines from being built. Even under an ambitious expansion scenario, wind energy would occupy only a tiny fraction of Switzerland’s total forest area. According to the Federal Office for the Environment, forested areas in Switzerland continue to expand and have increased significantly during recent decades. Forests are already well protected under existing legislation.

Regarding the Municipal Protection Initiative, the Federal Council notes that municipalities already enjoy extensive participation rights. The constitutional veto right proposed by the initiative does not exist for any other nationally significant infrastructure project in Switzerland.

Both initiatives also include retroactive provisions requiring the dismantling of installations built after 1 May 2024 if they do not comply with the new rules. Such provisions would create considerable legal uncertainty and interfere with constitutionally protected property rights.

Axpo’s Head of Wind Portfolio Switzerland, Cédric Aubert, said: “None of our scenarios for a secure Swiss electricity supply can do without wind power. In 2024, Swiss voters endorsed the Electricity Act, which includes wind energy as part of the solution. These initiatives effectively say no to that choice by removing an indispensable element of Switzerland’s future energy system.”

In broad alliance, environmental organisations also oppose initiatives

The newly established association is co-chaired by Fabienne Thomas, Co-Managing Director of aeesuisse, the umbrella organisation of the Swiss renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, and Jan Flückiger, Head of Public Affairs at the Swiss Electricity Association (VSE).

Importantly, all members of the Environmental Alliance – BirdLife Switzerland, Greenpeace Switzerland, Pro Natura, the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES), the Transport and Environment Association (VCS) and WWF Switzerland – also oppose both initiatives. They argue that the proposals would significantly restrict the environmentally responsible expansion of wind energy and jeopardise Switzerland’s climate and energy objectives.

Axpo: responsible development, not blanket obstruction

Axpo supports the responsible development of wind energy. Each project undergoes a multi-year assessment process that includes wind measurements, comprehensive environmental impact assessments, and detailed studies of landscape integration, noise emissions and other potential impacts. At the same time, Axpo engages early with municipalities, authorities, landowners, environmental organisations and local communities.

Not every location is suitable for wind energy, and not every project will ultimately be realised. Projects proceed only where the conditions are right in terms of energy yield, environmental compatibility and local acceptance. Where these requirements are met, Axpo aims to contribute to a secure and sustainable energy supply for Switzerland.