The Senate has voted to lift Switzerland’s ban on building new nuclear power plants. On Wednesday it approved the government’s indirect counterproposal to the so-called “Blackout Initiative”. The House of Representatives will now take up the issue. Here’s why nuclear energy is back in the spotlight. Even as Switzerland phases out its ageing reactors, the debate on building new ones has been revived. In response to the popular initiative “Electricity for all at all times (Stop blackouts)”, the Swiss government decided in 2024 to amend the Nuclear Energy Act, aiming to lift the existing ban on constructing new nuclear power plants. Parliament is now discussing the proposal, which could ultimately be decided by a nationwide vote. ‘Stop the blackout’ In 2024, centre-right parties and business representatives launched the popular initiative “Electricity for all at all times (Stop blackouts)”, which seeks to overturn Switzerland’s ban on building new nuclear power plants. The initiative …