Indicator Climate

New renewable energy

In addition to improvements in energy efficiency and the withdrawal from nuclear energy, the development of renewable energies constitutes a pillar of sustainable climate and energy policy. Alongside hydropower, which has for many years played a crucial role with respect to the supply of electricity, new renewables – solar energy, wood, biomass, wind energy, geothermal energy and ambient heat – will have to make an increased contribution towards Switzerland’s supply of energy in the future.

Assessment of the state
medium medium
Assessment of the trend
positive positive
Photovoltaics 2022: 3857.756 Wind 2022: 149.693629576 Wood 2022: 509.249 Biogas 2022: 277.30266402 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2022: 132.696494584962 Waste (renewable share) 2022: 1092.06699718606 Photovoltaics 2021: 2842.003 Wind 2021: 144.939765321 Wood 2021: 474.948 Biogas 2021: 273.521316 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2021: 131.066080241824 Waste (renewable share) 2021: 1113.17428585464 Photovoltaics 2020: 2598.662 Wind 2020: 145.45 Wood 2020: 394.544 Biogas 2020: 259.445739 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2020: 129.489068032739 Waste (renewable share) 2020: 1183.8590271624 Photovoltaics 2019: 2177.677 Wind 2019: 145.92 Wood 2019: 312.865 Biogas 2019: 244.944922 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2019: 127.262272347201 Waste (renewable share) 2019: 1177.42828504412 Photovoltaics 2018: 1945.099 Wind 2018: 121.8 Wood 2018: 289.886 Biogas 2018: 223.759924 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2018: 127.908516936148 Waste (renewable share) 2018: 1169.38940561819 Photovoltaics 2017: 1683.206 Wind 2017: 132.6 Wood 2017: 321.776 Biogas 2017: 208.2195597 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2017: 125.347338281521 Waste (renewable share) 2017: 1182.34959343033 Photovoltaics 2016: 1333.495 Wind 2016: 108.6 Wood 2016: 222.81 Biogas 2016: 196.511426 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2016: 123.729313902184 Waste (renewable share) 2016: 1182.47501030071 Photovoltaics 2015: 1118.545 Wind 2015: 110.028 Wood 2015: 183.556 Biogas 2015: 176.767929 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2015: 125.863731912728 Waste (renewable share) 2015: 1115.32849599676 Photovoltaics 2014: 841.568 Wind 2014: 100.882 Wood 2014: 273.324 Biogas 2014: 162.362133 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2014: 127.781880444852 Waste (renewable share) 2014: 1107.59690597654 Photovoltaics 2013: 500.469 Wind 2013: 89.518 Wood 2013: 277.59 Biogas 2013: 151.732037557442 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2013: 127.739667414112 Waste (renewable share) 2013: 1049.71406524081 Photovoltaics 2012: 299.474 Wind 2012: 88.066 Wood 2012: 251.534 Biogas 2012: 132.152394 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2012: 127.809033763966 Waste (renewable share) 2012: 1014.86980564661 Photovoltaics 2011: 168.056 Wind 2011: 70.133931 Wood 2011: 192.638 Biogas 2011: 102.854514 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2011: 126.160761705623 Waste (renewable share) 2011: 962.954086896964 Photovoltaics 2010: 93.637 Wind 2010: 36.583 Wood 2010: 134.567 Biogas 2010: 88.1809404431945 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2010: 120.864376632766 Waste (renewable share) 2010: 928.365346741028 Photovoltaics 2009: 54.39 Wind 2009: 22.623 Wood 2009: 154.179 Biogas 2009: 73.9747628420792 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2009: 116.698057595359 Waste (renewable share) 2009: 883.82256856894 Photovoltaics 2008: 36.73 Wind 2008: 18.518 Wood 2008: 131.373 Biogas 2008: 60.6956871831885 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2008: 116.00265307731 Waste (renewable share) 2008: 920.894100651588 Photovoltaics 2007: 28.55 Wind 2007: 16.016 Wood 2007: 92.299 Biogas 2007: 52.8051260444336 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2007: 114.960290736687 Waste (renewable share) 2007: 918.8298502427 Photovoltaics 2006: 23.77 Wind 2006: 15.255 Wood 2006: 43.975 Biogas 2006: 40.856436 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2006: 112.646621680576 Waste (renewable share) 2006: 937.455178367553 Photovoltaics 2005: 20.74 Wind 2005: 8.372 Wood 2005: 32.578 Biogas 2005: 36.484571 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2005: 108.863764690156 Waste (renewable share) 2005: 837.98345591599 Photovoltaics 2004: 18.05 Wind 2004: 6.303 Wood 2004: 29.071 Biogas 2004: 35.550511 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2004: 108.720905909805 Waste (renewable share) 2004: 796.876834783722 Photovoltaics 2003: 17.59 Wind 2003: 5.241 Wood 2003: 27.275 Biogas 2003: 42.988321 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2003: 107.69907590638 Waste (renewable share) 2003: 752.460735387329 Photovoltaics 2002: 14.67 Wind 2002: 5.402728 Wood 2002: 22.375 Biogas 2002: 46.083101 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2002: 105.744148982171 Waste (renewable share) 2002: 734.941405265327 Photovoltaics 2001: 12.98 Wind 2001: 4.012662 Wood 2001: 13.801 Biogas 2001: 51.255655625 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2001: 105.371901145568 Waste (renewable share) 2001: 704.833321401286 Photovoltaics 2000: 11.19 Wind 2000: 2.981189 Wood 2000: 13.684 Biogas 2000: 54.197985625 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2000: 94.4089852315399 Waste (renewable share) 2000: 670.131774737376 Photovoltaics 1999: 9.71 Wind 1999: 3.270405 Wood 1999: 13.13 Biogas 1999: 52.789889625 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1999: 89.5866541392406 Waste (renewable share) 1999: 593.710595602672 Photovoltaics 1998: 8.42 Wind 1998: 2.733046 Wood 1998: 12.529 Biogas 1998: 51.172 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1998: 85.8058325459931 Waste (renewable share) 1998: 539.36505853695 Photovoltaics 1997: 7.43 Wind 1997: 1.996259 Wood 1997: 10.247 Biogas 1997: 49.617 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1997: 79.7439720612793 Waste (renewable share) 1997: 518.660565521622 Photovoltaics 1996: 6.66 Wind 1996: 0.5243 Wood 1996: 13.968 Biogas 1996: 50.4096 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1996: 75.2022008952041 Waste (renewable share) 1996: 473.920770358477 Photovoltaics 1995: 5.93 Wind 1995: 0.143141 Wood 1995: 9.336 Biogas 1995: 51.012 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1995: 71.3471195602007 Waste (renewable share) 1995: 443.283301367619 Photovoltaics 1994: 5.2 Wind 1994: 0.088513 Wood 1994: 10.425 Biogas 1994: 47.244 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1994: 69.7422854335798 Waste (renewable share) 1994: 422.733594750823 Photovoltaics 1993: 4.38 Wind 1993: 0.039826 Wood 1993: 7.786 Biogas 1993: 39.254 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1993: 66.4250579813039 Waste (renewable share) 1993: 377.450893560828 Photovoltaics 1992: 3.43 Wind 1992: 0.05031 Wood 1992: 10.656 Biogas 1992: 32.277 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1992: 62.8559289798773 Waste (renewable share) 1992: 378.686356410401 Photovoltaics 1991: 2.37 Wind 1991: 0.1176 Wood 1991: 6.018 Biogas 1991: 25.622 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1991: 61.1760629195624 Waste (renewable share) 1991: 342.974834652018 Photovoltaics 1990: 1.45 Wind 1990: 0.04739 Wood 1990: 5.7 Biogas 1990: 21.816 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1990: 58.5543851995424 Waste (renewable share) 1990: 351.650579054996
Renewable electricity production (excluding hydropower)

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Solar heat 2022: 736.21 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2022: 6869.93713262163 Biogas 2022: 91.5114845743569 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2022: 252.280681895111 Wood 2022: 10617.064 Waste (renewable share) 2022: 2445.44269768383 Solar heat 2021: 739.57 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2021: 6355.57063452202 Biogas 2021: 91.2970271958782 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2021: 249.165542342307 Wood 2021: 10623.113 Waste (renewable share) 2021: 2640.69290155257 Solar heat 2020: 738.69 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2020: 5932.49453104022 Biogas 2020: 84.8637572666038 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2020: 248.345141027605 Wood 2020: 10247.881 Waste (renewable share) 2020: 2511.86698084416 Solar heat 2019: 734.02 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2019: 5558.69166797102 Biogas 2019: 93.9866234894455 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2019: 251.132618525961 Wood 2019: 9959.79 Waste (renewable share) 2019: 2539.29813384975 Solar heat 2018: 722.56 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2018: 5245.20604415365 Biogas 2018: 85.3243282984005 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2018: 253.633768838901 Wood 2018: 9579.519 Waste (renewable share) 2018: 2398.43188598788 Solar heat 2017: 703.71 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2017: 4962.44888211801 Biogas 2017: 60.9651442854666 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2017: 267.70263575219 Wood 2017: 9533.557 Waste (renewable share) 2017: 2409.40537605842 Solar heat 2016: 683.27 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2016: 4701.52312912317 Biogas 2016: 57.9858801858376 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2016: 270.131125854811 Wood 2016: 9201.155 Waste (renewable share) 2016: 2320.27492453293 Solar heat 2015: 655.17 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2015: 4438.61658181753 Biogas 2015: 56.0436945381451 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2015: 274.533684148764 Wood 2015: 8878.227 Waste (renewable share) 2015: 2197.19140460596 Solar heat 2014: 614.33 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2014: 4155.84778661066 Biogas 2014: 50.4358170481512 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2014: 285.33581683847 Wood 2014: 8583.031 Waste (renewable share) 2014: 2052.72248439566 Solar heat 2013: 567.24 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2013: 3872.83115767791 Biogas 2013: 49.435006888466 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2013: 286.17182790941 Wood 2013: 8412.431 Waste (renewable share) 2013: 2097.77500657481 Solar heat 2012: 514.7 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2012: 3599.88584284283 Biogas 2012: 43.161579419591 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2012: 296.877444488521 Wood 2012: 8080.348 Waste (renewable share) 2012: 2094.58046216152 Solar heat 2011: 459.73 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2011: 3313.99763764511 Biogas 2011: 30.3049295938081 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2011: 298.255033835286 Wood 2011: 7814.946 Waste (renewable share) 2011: 2128.3564343094 Solar heat 2010: 403.15 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2010: 3014.31570088946 Biogas 2010: 24.8751182695412 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2010: 286.934655421755 Wood 2010: 7617.707 Waste (renewable share) 2010: 2174.7475483574 Solar heat 2009: 343.43 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2009: 2700.07218383236 Biogas 2009: 21.5115609337844 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2009: 277.083476159168 Wood 2009: 7236.706 Waste (renewable share) 2009: 2008.25452748567 Solar heat 2008: 290.8 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2008: 2373.87010111607 Biogas 2008: 23.6067013031192 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2008: 276.902487715437 Wood 2008: 6837.824 Waste (renewable share) 2008: 2045.9766145331 Solar heat 2007: 256.04 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2007: 2097.34686848261 Biogas 2007: 24.5422355334589 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2007: 275.45413644594 Wood 2007: 6500.28 Waste (renewable share) 2007: 2282.20514755546 Solar heat 2006: 233.38 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2006: 1880.99785608207 Biogas 2006: 19.0526924577554 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2006: 274.583458641195 Wood 2006: 6121.704 Waste (renewable share) 2006: 2299.24561681429 Solar heat 2005: 214.91 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2005: 1715.4448265384 Biogas 2005: 17.4473788426967 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2005: 270.889255590341 Wood 2005: 5792.15 Waste (renewable share) 2005: 2240.38922343706 Solar heat 2004: 200.67 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2004: 1606.41357869488 Biogas 2004: 18.1606122290464 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2004: 273.559969464238 Wood 2004: 5667.14 Waste (renewable share) 2004: 2177.85796567628 Solar heat 2003: 189.08 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2003: 1524.16560120921 Biogas 2003: 18.6219424071778 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2003: 271.454824113423 Wood 2003: 5594.132 Waste (renewable share) 2003: 2105.01494066745 Solar heat 2002: 178.22 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2002: 1456.90836358225 Biogas 2002: 23.896267442519 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2002: 270.604047102628 Wood 2002: 5529.144 Waste (renewable share) 2002: 2003.74021975334 Solar heat 2001: 166.58 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2001: 1386.00566772826 Biogas 2001: 27.5123298142623 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2001: 268.122079157103 Wood 2001: 5430.198 Waste (renewable share) 2001: 1833.93018600955 Solar heat 2000: 154.26 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 2000: 1326.41608256117 Biogas 2000: 29.3602858520452 Biogas (sewage treatment) 2000: 262.659475349626 Wood 2000: 5373.789 Waste (renewable share) 2000: 1608.8962774724 Solar heat 1999: 141.59 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1999: 1270.25228893921 Biogas 1999: 28.1612666877707 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1999: 259.652815966681 Wood 1999: 5238.707 Waste (renewable share) 1999: 1518.13142710465 Solar heat 1998: 126.81 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1998: 1205.79026899338 Biogas 1998: 27.2006096504544 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1998: 255.499337397697 Wood 1998: 5259.514 Waste (renewable share) 1998: 1435.81690760277 Solar heat 1997: 111.57 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1997: 1145.44361279951 Biogas 1997: 29.9942867716301 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1997: 242.036458208635 Wood 1997: 5299.515 Waste (renewable share) 1997: 1403.0563378982 Solar heat 1996: 97.72 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1996: 1097.51923988652 Biogas 1996: 31.5442159358688 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1996: 236.676763690296 Wood 1996: 5389.061 Waste (renewable share) 1996: 1348.70496499359 Solar heat 1995: 83.05 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1995: 1057.10301271769 Biogas 1995: 29.6866916659213 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1995: 231.977555984522 Wood 1995: 5181.519 Waste (renewable share) 1995: 1362.93063823202 Solar heat 1994: 68.97 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1994: 1012.29668174484 Biogas 1994: 31.2430878868515 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1994: 230.683686987245 Wood 1994: 5082.383 Waste (renewable share) 1994: 1234.51498971175 Solar heat 1993: 56.79 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1993: 971.203679794146 Biogas 1993: 27.021055377907 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1993: 229.044323097937 Wood 1993: 4978.875 Waste (renewable share) 1993: 1190.54320656286 Solar heat 1992: 46.61 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1992: 938.414646794611 Biogas 1992: 15.4555649710983 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1992: 218.738617926339 Wood 1992: 4947.742 Waste (renewable share) 1992: 1256.62189788453 Solar heat 1991: 37.76 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1991: 902.800420191802 Biogas 1991: 11.234 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1991: 210.624065718697 Wood 1991: 4886.458 Waste (renewable share) 1991: 1211.66874506424 Solar heat 1990: 29.41 Ambient heat, geothermal energy 1990: 859.395798878766 Biogas 1990: 11.488 Biogas (sewage treatment) 1990: 204.497601851477 Wood 1990: 4815.058 Waste (renewable share) 1990: 1143.49521721861
Utilised renewable heat (climate-adjusted levels, deduction of renewable heat losses from district heat)

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Comment

In 2022, the production of electricity from new renewable energy sources (solar energy, biomass, biogas, wind energy, waste) amounted to 6,019 GWh, which is equivalent to 10 per cent of Switzerland’s net electricity production. This share is relatively low considering the significant potential for production from new renewable sources. In view of this, the status is defined as medium.

However, developments over the past ten years have been pleasing. The positive trend should now continue thanks to the measures defined in the Energy Strategy 2050 aimed at promoting the production of electricity from new renewable energy sources:

  • Restructuring of previous cost-oriented feed-in remuneration to feed-in remuneration with direct marketing for power from solar energy, wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy and small hydropower plants;
  • Investment contributions towards hydropower and biomass facilities, as well as photovoltaic systems.
  • Raising the status for the use and expansion of renewable energies to ‘national interest’. (Installations of a certain size and importance enjoy equivalent consideration as the protection of nature and landscapes in weighing up the public interest.)

Renewable energy can also contribute towards the production of heat (cf. graph ‘Heat’). Since 1990, the use of heat from renewable energy sources has increased sharply and in 2022 reached 20,740 GWh (figure adjusted for climate factors, deduction of renewable heat losses from district heat). Wood combustion accounts for 51 per cent of the heat obtained from renewable sources, while waste heat from incineration plants accounts for 12 per cent and heat pumps (energy obtained from the environment: air, water, soil) for around 33 per cent.

International comparison

The data published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) depict the production of electricity and heat in various countries by energy source. An international comparison should also include the proportion of renewable energy to total electricity / heat production.

Method

The indicator is based on data from the Swiss renewable energy statistics, which are collected on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). The renewable energy statistics indicate the degree of conversion from the various sources (sun, wood, ambient heat, etc.) to electricity and heat. See Annex E to the Swiss renewable energy statistics.

 
Last updated on: 08.11.2023

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