Zurich Canton and Bavaria Advance Renewable Energy Policies

In the Swiss canton of Zürich, a 2021 referendum established an energy law that took effect on 1 September 2022, restricting new oil and gas heating systems to rare exceptions and promoting heat pumps through subsidies, a CO₂ tax and additional cantonal funding. The shift has led to almost no new oil or gas installations, while CO₂ emissions from heating are declining, though overall emissions remain high due to transport, waste incineration and agriculture. A mandatory photovoltaic (PV) requirement for new buildings is being met, and national PV output is expected to reach about 10 TWh in 2026 – roughly 17 % of Switzerland’s electricity consumption.

In Bavaria, the Bavarian Farmers’ Association (BBV) is urging the German federal government to amend the forthcoming EEG 2027 and related biomass package. The BBV stresses that “the energy transition can only succeed if biogas, photovoltaic and wind power are considered together” and calls for planning certainty, investment incentives and robust protection for existing biogas plants. Its demands include priority for rooftop PV, reliable grid‑connection rules, continued support for small‑scale PV, a dedicated agri‑PV surcharge, a separate wind‑turbine tender for weak‑wind regions, and a pragmatic transition scheme for ageing biogas facilities. The association argues that these measures are essential for energy security and reduced dependence on imports.