AI
Written with AI assistance•11. Mai 2026•
AI
Generated IllustrationAxpo's chairman, Thomas Sieber, has proposed building three to four gas-fired power plants as a flexible and relatively quick solution to secure Switzerland's electricity supply, complementing hydropower and other renewables.
"This gives us time to expand other capacities and, from an economic perspective, is also the most cost-effective option for winter electricity in the next few years or even decades."
"Gas-fired power plants have major advantages because they can be built relatively quickly and bring flexibility to the system."
Switzerland confronts a pivotal moment in its energy history as Axpo, the nation's largest electricity producer, demands a radical shift in infrastructure strategy. Outgoing Chairman Thomas Sieber is sounding the alarm, insisting that the country must pivot toward gas-fired power to avert a looming supply crisis. This is not a mere suggestion; it is a strategic ultimatum for a nation grappling with the transition to renewables. While hydropower remains the backbone of Swiss energy, the inherent volatility of wind and solar creates dangerous gaps that current storage cannot fill. The urgency is palpable as the federal government weighs the necessity of these fossil-fuel backups against its ambitious climate goals. Sieber’s proposal forces a confrontation between environmental idealism and the cold reality of grid stability. As data centers and AI-driven industries surge in their power consumption, the margin for error in Switzerland’s energy policy has effectively vanished. The nation must now decide if it is willing to embrace gas to keep the lights on.
A staggering three to four gas-fired power plants are required to stabilize the Swiss grid, according to Axpo’s latest strategic roadmap. These facilities are touted as the ultimate 'flexibility tools'—capable of being constructed with unprecedented speed compared to massive hydroelectric projects. Sieber argues that these plants are the missing link in a system that increasingly relies on intermittent weather patterns. However, the path to construction is blocked by a thicket of regulatory hurdles. Legal adjustments must be fast-tracked to create the 'favorable conditions' necessary for private investment. This is a high-stakes gamble: building gas infrastructure in an era of decarbonization. Yet, the flexibility offered by gas is unmatched; these plants can ramp up production in minutes when solar output plummets during a winter storm. Without this rapid-response capacity, the risk of localized blackouts or extreme price volatility becomes a mathematical certainty. The proposal shifts the focus from 'if' we need gas to 'how quickly' we can build it.
The survival of the Swiss energy sector hinges on a massive extension of its nuclear fleet, with Axpo projecting that plants like Gösgen and Leibstadt can remain operational for an incredible 80 years. This isn't just a technical possibility; it is an economic imperative. Keeping these reactors online represents the most cost-effective solution for securing winter electricity for decades to come. But the clock is ticking loudly. A definitive decision on the Gösgen plant’s future must be reached by 2029. Failure to act by this deadline would trigger a mandatory disconnection from the grid, stripping Switzerland of a massive chunk of its baseload power. This creates a dramatic tension: while the 2017 Energy Strategy aimed for a nuclear phase-out, the reality of the energy transition is forcing a rethink. Nuclear power currently provides the steady, carbon-free foundation that allows renewables to grow. Abandoning this 'atomic bridge' prematurely could leave the country vulnerable and dependent on expensive imports from neighboring giants.
Switzerland must act now to guarantee its security of supply by 2050, as the demand for winter electricity reaches critical levels. The strategy is clear: a aggressive expansion of wind power combined with a laser-focus on winter-specific energy funding. While global electricity prices are expected to decline in the medium term due to the influx of renewables, the local challenge remains the 'winter gap.' This is the period where domestic production traditionally falls short, forcing a reliance on the European market. By integrating gas-fired plants with a prolonged nuclear lifespan and accelerated wind development, Axpo believes Switzerland can achieve a self-sufficient energy sovereignty. The transition is not just about technology; it is about political will. As Sieber prepares to relinquish his role at the end of May, his parting message is a call to arms for Swiss policymakers. The decisions made in the next three years will dictate whether Switzerland remains an energy fortress or becomes a vulnerable island in an increasingly volatile European market.