2 September (Renewables Now) – Wind power in Switzerland could generate 29.5 TWh of electricity annually if the country realizes its potential, and more than half of all electricity would be produced during the winter months, a recent study shows.

According to the study, even if the alpine country only uses 30% of its wind energy potential, which corresponds to around 1,000 operating turbines, it has 8.9 TWh of clean electricity per year, of which 5.7 TWh in winter. This reduces Switzerland’s dependence on energy imports and strengthens the power supply in the winter months.

The results of the study show that most of the potential lies in the Midlands, where wind turbines could produce 17.5 TWh of electricity annually. Over 7.8 TWh per year could be generated in the Jura and Alpine valleys, while in the Alpine region another 4.2 TWh per year could be added.

The study was carried out by Meteotest AG on behalf of the Federal Office of Energy.

The country must expand its power supply quickly in order to avoid an impending bottleneck in winter. To this end, the Council of States is preparing a package of measures to create the legal basis for a nationwide expansion of photovoltaic (PV) capacities as quickly as possible so that demand can be met with green electricity.

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