Swiss vote to phase out nuclear powerMay 22, 2017 - 11:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Switzerland has voted to phase out nuclear power in favour of renewable energy, BBC News reports. More than 58% backed the move towards greener power sources in a referendum on Sunday, May 21. Switzerland has five ageing nuclear power plants, which provide a third of the country's energy needs. There is no date yet to decommission the facilities, but the country will now aim to increase reliance on sources like solar, wind and hydro power. Opponents had warned the move away from nuclear energy would cost too much money and lead to the landscape being "disfigured". But the president of Switzerland's Green party, Regula Rytz, hailed the vote as a "moment of historic change". "The Swiss population has said 'no' to the construction of new nuclear power plants and yes to the development of renewable energy," she added. "The conditions have also been set whereby the economy and households will need to take responsibility for the future. "It's absolutely magnificent." The Swiss government first proposed phasing out nuclear energy in favour of renewables after Japan's Fukushima plant was destroyed in a tsunami in 2011. The vote now paves the way for them to move ahead with the plan, beginning in January 2018. However, a referendum which asked if people wanted to limit the nuclear plants lifespan to 45 years failed to get enough support in November. Photo. Roland Zumbühl (Picswiss) Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. Civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan People demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation again blocked streets in Yerevan on May 15. |