Switzerland already gets an impressive 94% of its electricity from low-carbon sources. Over the twelve months from August 2025 through July 2026, hydropower supplied more than half of electricity consumption, nuclear almost a quarter, solar around 13%, and biofuels about 3%. Fossil sources supplied only around 2%, while net imports accounted for almost 4%; the imports’ generation mix is not specified. This clean electricity foundation is a major achievement. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating and industry, which will require much more electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Switzerland?

The latest figures do not show growth relative to Switzerland’s historical per-person records. Electricity consumption in 2026 was about 7,600 kWh per person, roughly 2,400 kWh, or 24%, below the 2001 record of about 10,000 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation was around 7,100 kWh per person, about 2,500 kWh, or 26%, below its 2001 peak of roughly 9,600 kWh. These substantial shortfalls are concerning as electrification and growing digital infrastructure increase the need for clean electricity. However, comparisons with historical peaks alone do not establish the latest year-to-year trend or whether total national electricity consumption is growing.

Suggestions

Switzerland can build on its established strengths by expanding nuclear and solar electricity generation. Maintaining and upgrading existing nuclear plants, alongside considering additional nuclear capacity, could increase dependable low-carbon output. Accelerating solar installations on rooftops, commercial buildings and other suitable sites would add to a source already supplying a substantial share of electricity. Complementary investment in electricity networks, storage and flexible demand would help integrate this additional production and support electrification across the economy.

History

Switzerland’s low-carbon electricity history features substantial hydropower fluctuations alongside important nuclear gains. Hydropower fell by about 5–6 TWh in both 1984 and 1989, while nuclear generation increased by around 4 TWh in 1985. During the 1990s, hydropower declined by 4 TWh in 1995 and 6 TWh in 1996, before rebounding by about 5 TWh in 1997 and 6 TWh in 1999. It rose another 4.5 TWh in 2001, then fell almost 6 TWh in 2002; nuclear added 4.5 TWh in 2006. In the 2010s, hydropower grew by around 6 TWh in 2012, while nuclear’s disappointing 4.5 TWh decline in 2015 was followed by a strong 5 TWh recovery in 2018. Nuclear fell another 4.5 TWh in 2021 before recovering by a similar amount in 2022, when hydropower dropped 6 TWh. Hydropower then delivered substantial gains of roughly 7–8 TWh annually in 2023 and 2024. The 2025 reversals—nearly 11 TWh less hydropower and almost 5 TWh less nuclear generation—were a deeply disappointing setback for clean electricity output, underscoring the importance of sustained expansion in nuclear and solar capacity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Aug 2025 – Jul 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.