Switzerland’s Council of States – the upper house of the Federal Assembly – has passed a postulate calling for the construction of new nuclear power plants to be examined as “a possible scenario” to secure electricity supplies.

The postulate was submitted by Thierry Burkart, president of the liberal-conservative FDP party, which has about a 15% share of the vote and is represented on the Federal Council, the National Council and the Council of States. In the Swiss legislative system a postulate is a parliamentary request to government calling for a specific action.

Burkart’s postulate called for the federal government to review Switzerland’s ban on new nuclear plants. He wants the government to explain how the country’s electricity mix will develop and how many power plants will have to be built by 2030 in order for existing nuclear plants to be shut down without risking security of supply.

“The construction of new nuclear power plants is also likely to be a possible scenario if the expansion of other low-emission capacities progresses too slowly,” Burkart said.