The various parameters examined paint a nuanced picture of the Swiss energy transition compared to the 27 EU member states.
Renewable Electricity Production: Switzerland at the Forefront
In terms of overall renewable electricity production per capita, Switzerland ranks fifth in 2025. Only Nordic countries and Austria perform better. Switzerland benefits particularly from its existing hydropower, which contributes over half of the electricity produced in the country.
Solar Energy Expansion is Progressing Well and Has Potential
In per capita solar power production, Switzerland reaches a new high in 2025, ranking tenth in Europe, nearly on par with Belgium. This is an improvement of one place compared to the previous year. This development reflects the dynamic expansion of solar energy in Switzerland, which has increased by more than 1,000 gigawatt-hours each year over the past five years, rising by 2,000 gigawatt-hours in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, Switzerland still has significant potential for further expansion: per capita values in several northern states are higher – despite lower solar radiation levels relevant for solar power production.
Wind Energy at the Bottom
A significantly different picture emerges with wind energy. Wind power production in Switzerland remains at a low level, despite new wind turbines being commissioned each year. With a 25th place ranking, Switzerland continues to trail in the European comparison. Simultaneously, the comparison highlights the high expansion dynamics in many EU states. Wind energy is already one of the main pillars of electricity supply in Europe and is expected to contribute even more to renewable electricity production in the future.
Renewables and Electrification: Switzerland among the Leaders
For a successful energy transition, the energy supply is switched to renewables, and fossil fuels are increasingly replaced by more efficient, electrical applications. The share of renewable electricity production as part of consumption, as well as the degree of electrification, are important metrics. On both parameters, Switzerland ranks among the best in Europe.
Already 70.8 percent of Swiss electricity consumption is covered by renewable sources, placing Switzerland fifth in Europe. The leader is Sweden, where more than 90 percent of electricity is provided by renewable sources.
In terms of electrification, Switzerland ranks seventh in Europe with a 26.7 percent share of electricity in final energy consumption. However, the differences among the leading countries are relatively small, and values remain at a low level. The statistics show that substantial efforts are still needed across Europe in terms of electrification.
Good Development – But Significant Action Still Required
The analysed parameters indicate: The energy transition is progressing in Switzerland compared to Europe. Traditional hydropower provides a strong foundation, and particularly the expansion of solar energy has gained significant momentum in recent years. For wind power, the recently enacted acceleration decree and a full project pipeline could result in a higher expansion rate in the future.
At the same time, action is still needed at all levels to fully decarbonize the energy supply. The prerequisites for this are promising: reliable political frameworks, accelerated approval processes, close integration into the European electricity system, and targeted measures for electrification can drive the necessary transformation forward. It is crucial that politics secure these frameworks in the long term. Only such actions can trigger the necessary investments and sustain progress in the energy transition.
Media Contact
Léonore Hälg
Head of Renewable Energies Department
+41 44 275 21 24
leonore.haelg@energiestiftung.ch