Switzerland first to cut expectations in Hydro Power (by 50%)
updated 2012-04-02
-- an SWMTHiNKTANK article
updated 2012-04-02
According to a most recent news paper article [1] the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) has revised its current expectations/prognosis regarding the potential energy supply by hydro power downwards by almost 50%. This is a substantial revision of the 2011 assumptions according to which hydro power in Switzerland could provide about 6 terawatt hours (TWh). Today the overall, annual energy supply by hydro power is expected to be in the range of ~3.2 TWh. As key factors motivating this revision among others 'strengthened emphasis on protecting natural heritage', 'exclusion of projects in protected areas' but also 'deficient political will' are quoted [1]. This once more shows the sensitivity associated with the so far actively promoted renunciation of the energy supply by means of non-renewable energy carriers. This most recent modification may also be expected to have notable effects on the expected energy supply potential of renewable energy sources at larger scales, i.e. on European level [2], [3]. This, primarily due to the fact that Switzerland, due to its morphology, its water abundance and due to its technical/technological development would be well-positioned to cover a distinct amount of its overall energy demand by means of hydro power. It is now to be expected how things will develop further and if and how other countries, e.g. Norway, Sweden, (Canada), etc. will perhaps modify their prognosis concerning energy supply by hydro power. On a global level however, it is expected that, due to unavoidably suspected energy shortages, hydro power will remain a key for the 'sustainable' turnaround in energy supply [4], [5].
The above reported decided modification regarding the energy supply potential of hydro power may also be interpreted as a strong signal revealing a certain helplessness in the way how to address the challenge of sustainable energy supply. Considering the overall picture it may also exemplary show that pure quantitative/technical strategies to provide for e.g. sustainable energy supply are hardly robust. Such attempts lack the social (geo-political) and environmental aspects, thus lack the fundamental comprehensiveness distinguishing truly sustainable strategies [7].
According to a most recent news paper article [1] the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) has revised its current expectations/prognosis regarding the potential energy supply by hydro power downwards by almost 50%. This is a substantial revision of the 2011 assumptions according to which hydro power in Switzerland could provide about 6 terawatt hours (TWh). Today the overall, annual energy supply by hydro power is expected to be in the range of ~3.2 TWh. As key factors motivating this revision among others 'strengthened emphasis on protecting natural heritage', 'exclusion of projects in protected areas' but also 'deficient political will' are quoted [1]. This once more shows the sensitivity associated with the so far actively promoted renunciation of the energy supply by means of non-renewable energy carriers. This most recent modification may also be expected to have notable effects on the expected energy supply potential of renewable energy sources at larger scales, i.e. on European level [2], [3]. This, primarily due to the fact that Switzerland, due to its morphology, its water abundance and due to its technical/technological development would be well-positioned to cover a distinct amount of its overall energy demand by means of hydro power. It is now to be expected how things will develop further and if and how other countries, e.g. Norway, Sweden, (Canada), etc. will perhaps modify their prognosis concerning energy supply by hydro power. On a global level however, it is expected that, due to unavoidably suspected energy shortages, hydro power will remain a key for the 'sustainable' turnaround in energy supply [4], [5].
The above reported decided modification regarding the energy supply potential of hydro power may also be interpreted as a strong signal revealing a certain helplessness in the way how to address the challenge of sustainable energy supply. Considering the overall picture it may also exemplary show that pure quantitative/technical strategies to provide for e.g. sustainable energy supply are hardly robust. Such attempts lack the social (geo-political) and environmental aspects, thus lack the fundamental comprehensiveness distinguishing truly sustainable strategies [7].
