BKW FMB Energy Ltd Annual Report 2003

Future of nuclear power assured
While some aspects of Swiss electricity
market deregulation have still to be
resolved, the policy on nuclear power
has been clear since 18 May 2003, when
voters’ unequivocal rejection of the two
anti-nuclear power initiatives “Nonnuclear
power” and “Moratorium Plus”
clearly signalled the public’s desire to
stick to the proven mix of hydroelectricity,
nuclear power and renewable energies.
This rejection of the proposal to abolish
nuclear power is akin to a declaration of
confi dence in Switzerland’s four nuclear
power plants. The fact that Bernese voters
clearly threw out both people’s initiatives
is an unambiguous vote in favour of the
Mühleberg nuclear power plant. The result
also refl ects the public’s acknowledgement
of how safely and responsibly BKW employees
operate and maintain the plant. In
addition to the resolution of open political
issues, the year under review also saw
the end of a period of uncertainty. With
the deadline for an optional referendum
against the nuclear power law expiring in
the autumn of 2003, the Federal Council
commissioned further extensive studies
with a view to drawing up the appropriate
executive law provisions.
Forthcoming legislation tasks
The most important aim of this work is
to formulate a new nuclear power ordinance
and to amend existing ordinances,
primarily in terms of the provisions
governing protection against radiation
and emergency precautions, the decommissioning
and disposal fund, and declarations
of origin for electricity. A new
regulation must also be sought governing
the compensation of extra costs for feedin
from renewable energies. While the
nuclear power law keeps the option of
nuclear power open, it lays down stricter
regulations and more complex provisions
governing the operation of nuclear power
plants. BKW will continue to work with
electricity industry associations to advocate
the interests of its partners and
customers in this regard.
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