This synthesis report provides an overview of primary electricity supply sources, including power generation potentials and costs as well as the associated environmental burdens of electricity production in Switzerland. It gives a synthesis of the main findings and selected deep-dives into key technologies supporting the transition of the Swiss energy system, namely solar photovoltaics (PV), hydropower, biomass and deep geothermal energy generation.
In general, Swiss renewable resources seem to be sufficient, but the transition of the Swiss energy system towards 100% renewables and net-zero CO₂ emissions will only succeed if the domestic electricity generation potential for all renewables can be exploited to a large extent. While solar PV exhibits the largest potential by far and must be quickly expanded, it is important to increase the generation from other renewables in parallel, since such a combination of different primary energy resources and technologies allows synergies to be exploited, reduces lock-in risks, and facilitates integration of renewables by increasing system flexibility.