The Energy Regulation and Markets Review - Stikeman Elliott

Switzerland
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universities, business and centers of technological expertise encouraged. A plan
of action on ‘Coordinated Energy Research Switzerland’ with relevant roadmaps
should be drawn up for efficiency enhancing technologies, power grids and the
storage and distribution of electricity. The necessary federal funding for pilot
schemes and demonstration facilities should also be provided. These efforts are to
be coordinated with measures contained in the Cleantech Masterplan.
Confederation, cantons, cities and communes set the example: the Confederation,
the cantons, cities and communes will lead by example. They should meet their
own electricity and heating needs through renewable sources of energy and apply
the principle of best practice in all fields. The private sector should also play its
part in taking measures to reduce commercial energy consumption and strengthen
Switzerland’s position as a location for business by coming up with innovative,
energy-saving products. The energy industry should seize the opportunity to play
an active part in reshaping the national energy system and make the necessary
investments.
Beacon projects guide the way: pilot and demonstration projects developed by
various industries and groups should provide valuable experience for Switzerland’s
future in terms of energy. The fields of Smart Buildings, Smart Cities, Smart Grids
and district heating networks are key in achieving an optimisation of the energy
system, and thus contributing to a reduction in energy consumption, emissions
and costs.
Encouraging international cooperation: international cooperation in the field
of energy should be further intensified. Efforts should be made to conclude an
agreement on electricity with the European Union in 2012. In addition, contacts
with neighbouring countries should be intensified. Furthermore, Switzerland will
actively participate in the international debate on the future role and direction
of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and take part in the relevant
political and technical conferences.
The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
(‘DETEC’) will continue to develop the strategy in line with the decisions taken by
parliament together with the relevant departments and set out the measures to be
examined regarding implementation. In order to finance the necessary additional
measures, the Federal Council is studying the possibility of introducing an incentive tax
or ‘energy cent’. 4
ii Regulatory framework
Articles 76 and 89 to 91 of the Swiss Federal Constitution address energy matters and
bind the Confederation and the cantons to provide a satisfactory, diversified, secure,
economic and environmentally compatible energy supply.
4 www.bfe.admin.ch/themen/00526/index.html?lang=en; www.admin.ch/aktuell/00089/index.
html?lang=en&msg-id=39337; www.news.admin.ch/NSBSubscriber/message/attachments/23232.
pdf; www.bfe.admin.ch/energie/00572/00575/index.html?lang=en.
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