New Swiss nuclear plants could put thousands of renewables jobs at risk

If nuclear power stations were to be authorised again in Switzerland, this would have a negative impact on employment in the construction and renewable energy sectors.

A recent study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) suggests that thousands of jobs are at risk. According to the authors of the study, simply lifting the ban on the construction of new nuclear power stations, without any other measures, would put between 5,800 and 9,500 jobs at risk in the photovoltaic and construction sectors over the next five years. Over the next ten years, the number of jobs at risk could rise to as many as 10,600.

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Climate solutions

Building a new nuclear plant would pay off, finds Swiss study

This content was published on

Jul 12, 2026


A new nuclear power station would generate CHF1.6 billion annually and create over 2,900 jobs, analysts say.

Read more: Building a new nuclear plant would pay off, finds Swiss study

The construction of a new nuclear power station would create new jobs but, as Switzerland would have to acquire the necessary expertise and technology from abroad, such a project would not even come close to offsetting job losses in the photovoltaic and construction sectors, according to researchers at the ZHAW.

The study states that “an energy and climate policy focused on renewable energy and building renovation is better not only from an environmental perspective, but also in terms of employment”. The ban on the construction of new nuclear power stations provided for in the Federal Act on Nuclear Energy “not only safeguards the strategy of investing in renewable energy, but also protects local jobs in Switzerland”.

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Emissions reduction

Why climate change and wars are reviving interest in nuclear energy

This content was published on

Jul 17, 2025


Is the Fukushima effect over? Here’s why there is renewed interest around the atom and which nations want to build new nuclear power plants.

Read more: Why climate change and wars are reviving interest in nuclear energy

In Switzerland, the construction of new nuclear power stations is currently banned, but the Swiss government and parliament are in favour of overturning the ban. At the end of June, however, a broad coalition of opponents launched a referendum against this decision. Swiss voters will likely be able to decide whether to lift the ban in February 2027. In 2017, the Swiss citizens voted against the construction of new nuclear power stations by approving the Energy Strategy 2050 with 58% of the vote.

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Translated from Italian, reviewed by an English Department journalist.