Energy Cantonal Council defeats motion for solar power plant on Lake Zurich
On Monday, the Zurich Cantonal Council clearly rejected a proposal for a floating solar power plant on Lake Zurich. The impact on the landscape would be too great.
19.08.2024, 12:17
19.08.2024, 17:44
SDA
The EVP postulate was rejected by 103 votes to 62. The postulate demanded that the government council examine a temporary pilot project for a floating solar power plant on Lake Zurich.
Apart from the EPP, the SP, the AL and the GLP supported the motion. The GLP, however, only "with reservations", as Franziska Barmettler (GLP, Zurich) said.
The Greens, SVP, FDP and Mitte rejected the postulate. Opponents warned of environmental problems and restrictions for shipping, among other things.
Thomas Forrer (Greens, Erlenbach) spoke of a major intervention in the landscape that was not necessary as long as solar energy could be expanded elsewhere, for example on roofs.
First signatory Daniel Sommer (EVP, Affoltern) also conceded that there are actually still enough free roof areas. "But these tend to be smaller areas, and plans to build solar power plants there are often blocked by objections," said Sommer. With a floating solar power plant on the lake, a large area could be fitted with solar panels in one fell swoop.
