Image source: KKG

As one of the NEA member countries with the lowest carbon emissions, Switzerland is well positioned to achieve its objective of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The main features enabling a net zero future are its large endowment of hydroelectric resources and its high degree of interconnection with its European neighbours, allowing for a high level of mutually beneficial electricity trades.

The NEA report Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions in Switzerland in 2050: Low Carbon Scenarios and their System Costs examines different scenarios under which Switzerland can achieve net zero objectives by 2050. Based on the NEA Power System Model (POSY) and on the consultations with Swiss energy experts, it establishes the total economic system costs of different low-carbon generation mixes in the Swiss electricity sector. 

The virtual launch gathered authors of the report and experts in the field to discuss the report's key findings.

15:30-15:40 Session 1: Welcome and opening remarks

• William D. Magwood, IV, Director-General, NEA

15:40-15:50 Session 2: Scene setting on NEA system cost work

• Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

15:50-16:15 Session 3: Presentation of the NEA report Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions in Switzerland in 2050: Low Carbon Scenarios and their System Costs

• Jan Horst Keppler, Chief Economist, Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

16:15-16:55 Session 4: Panel discussion

Moderator: Jan Horst Keppler, Chief Economist, Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

• Fabienne Chawla, Research Co-ordinator, Swissnuclear
• Marco Cometto, Member of the Scientific Advisory Council, IAEA
• Tom Kober, Member of the Scientific Advisory Council, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
• Roger Lundmark, Head of Power Plant Support, Swissnuclear
• Anne-Laure Mazauric, Energy Modeller, NEA
• Ralf Straub, Head of International Affairs for Safety and Supervision, Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE)
• Cédric Vessiller, Asset Manager, Alpiq

16:55-17:00 Session 5: Concluding remarks

• Roger Lundmark, Head of Power Plant Support, Swissnuclear