Energy North-eastern Swiss cantons want to rapidly expand wind power

The cantons of north-eastern Switzerland want to press ahead with the expansion of wind power and make it an important pillar of the future energy supply. The cantons are at different stages of implementing this goal.

In order to promote wind power in north-eastern Switzerland, a new pioneering spirit is needed, said members of the governments of the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Thurgau and Zurich at a joint media conference in Winterthur on Friday. The expansion of wind power is primarily intended to help close the winter electricity gap.

In all the cantons of north-eastern Switzerland, suitable areas for the construction of wind power plants have either already been identified or the process has been initiated. In most cases, there is still a long way to go before large wind power plants can be built and commissioned.

Acceptance of wind power is generally high in the cantons - but the closer a wind potential area is to a settlement area, the greater the reservations of the population.

SDA