Switzerland - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Switzerland has four operable reactors, generating about one-third of the country’s electricity. Both Beznau and Gösgen produce district heating in addition to power. Swiss nuclear plants have no fixed operating lifetime limit.
In May 2026 a federal government report concluded that operation of the existing plants for up to 80 years is technically feasible and economically viable, and that state support could be provided.
Table Ch.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions avoided 1970-2025 (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2973 | 3105 | 0 | - | 1036 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
In May 2011, following the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan, the Swiss federal government declared that the country’s nuclear power plants would gradually be phased out. In June 2026 parliament approved a revision to the Nuclear Energy Act that removes the country’s ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants. A referendum campaign against the revision has been launched. If approved the referendum will take place in 2027.
Table Ch.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2725 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2725 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Switzerland has mature nuclear institutions. Parliament has approved lifting the ban on new reactors, but the revision may go to a referendum, and there is no quantified new-build programme, financing framework or government capacity target.
| Country Category | Maintainer |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Low-Moderate The new build prohibition was repealed in June 2026 and government policy now seeks to keep nuclear available as a long-term option, with authorization conditional on secured financing. However, a referendum on that policy change is pending. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate Switzerland has experienced operators and regulator, strong research capability, mature long-term operation processes and spent fuel interim storage. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Very Low The ban on new nuclear construction has only recently been lifted. In its May 2026 report, the Federal Council said the focus was on long-term operation, emphasizing that there are no immediate construction projects planned. |
| Target Achievability | N/A There is no quantified government new build capacity target against which delivery can yet be assessed. |
