A comparison of electricity prices in Switzerland with those in neighbouring countries shows that electricity has been cheap in Switzerland for years. A comparison with the cost of other energy forms such as gas or oil also confirms that electricity is cost effective. More than 90 percent of electricity production in Switzerland is based on hydroelectricity and nuclear power, so that price fluctuations on the gas and oil markets have a limited impact on electricity prices. Furthermore, Swiss electricity production is virtually CO2-free, so that the price of CO2 certificates has hardly any impact on electricity prices in Switzerland.

Although nuclear power plants do use fuel, the price of which is determined by market forces, the cost of uranium makes up only a small proportion of the electricity production costs of nuclear power, and therefore only has a minor impact on the price of electricity. In addition, uranium for electricity production can be stored in Switzerland for many years. This situation results in low, stable electricity prices.