Nuclear Power and the Future Swiss Energy System
Joint White Paper from ETH Zurich & PSI | June 2026
A study by 19 energy experts from ETH Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) investigated under which conditions the construction of new nuclear power stations may make financial sense for Switzerland’s future energy system. The findings of the study are based on four different energy models. These models calculate which technologies Switzerland could use by 2050 to cover significantly higher electricity demand as cheaply possibly and in a carbon-neutral way.
Gaetan Bally / Keystone
Results
Explore the key findings of the Joint White Paper through interactive visualisations in the CROSS result explorer.
Scenario dimensions
Climate target
Renewable policy
Variations on the 45 TWh renewables target given in Swiss Law
Nuclear investment costs
Variations on the Overnight Capital Costs for New Nuclear
WACC
Variations on the Weighted Average Cost of Capital of new nuclear investments
Scenario overview
Project information
Authors
This white paper was developed by 19 energy experts from ETH Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Project coordination
This white paper was coordinated by the Energy Science Center (ESC), ETH Zurich, which supports interdisciplinary energy research and collaboration across academia, industry, and policymakers.
Contact
Dr. Christian Schaffner
Executive Director, Energy Science Center (ESC), ETH Zurich
schaffner@esc.ethz.ch