Public preferences for the Swiss electricity system after the nuclear phase-out: A choice experiment

Energy transition towards a sustainable system comprising various energy sources is a major challenge. We conducted a representative survey in the German-speaking part of Switzerland to elicit the population's preferences for electricity from solar, wind or natural gas under different institutional and site-specific conditions. Based on a choice experiment we found a consistent preference for electricity based on solar energy and - to a lesser degree - wind energy, built in existing industrial and commercial areas. We identified five distinct population groups, three of which have a very pronounced profile concerning energy attributes: ‘Pro Renewables', ‘Pro Switzerland’, and ‘Pro Landscape’. The largest two groups, 'Moderates' and ‘Contra Status Quo’ value attributes fairly equally. All groups except Pro Landscape prefer electricity from Switzerland, and all groups except Pro Switzerland accept imports of renewable electricity, preferably from plants operated by Swiss firms. We suggest that unfamiliarity rather than nationalism is at the root of opposition to imports of renewables. An energy mix focusing on renewables and including border-crossing electricity infrastructure could pave the way for a cost-efficient energy transition towards a sustainable and resilient electricity system. Our results show that it would also be publicly acceptable by the majority of the Swiss population.