The Swiss government has shared its visionfor coping with major power outages in a brochure shared with thousands of companies, the weekly NZZ am Sonntag reported on Sunday. In the absence of an electricity agreement with the European Union, such a scenario is likelyif large power plants fail in Switzerland or abroad.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ds
-
Español
es
Suiza se prepara para eventual penuria de electricidad
Read more: Suiza se prepara para eventual penuria de electricidad
-
日本語
ja
スイス政府、企業に電力不足への備えを呼びかけ
Read more: スイス政府、企業に電力不足への備えを呼びかけ
-
العربية
ar
الشركات السويسرية مدعُوة للتأهّب لنقص مُحتمل في إمدادات الكهرباء
Read more: الشركات السويسرية مدعُوة للتأهّب لنقص مُحتمل في إمدادات الكهرباء
-
Русский
ru
Швейцарии предписано готовиться к дефициту электричества
Read more: Швейцарии предписано готовиться к дефициту электричества
Swiss companies could be ordered to reduce their electricity consumption by a specific percentage in the event of a shortage, the government warns in thebrochure sent to 30,000 firms.
The first measure the government would take to counter such a situation is to urge the population to tone down its electricity consumption. The second would be to prohibit the operation of swimming pools, air conditioning systems and escalators. Only in a third step would electricity quotas be imposed on the economy.
The brochure urges companies to look for ways to save electricity. Other than the coronavirus pandemic, the scenario of an electricity shortage is a major threat to supply security inSwitzerland. A power failure could cause damages of up to CHF4 billion ($4.3 billion) a day, the newspaper notes, citing government figures.
“A power shortage is, next to a pandemic, the greatest threat to Switzerland’s supply,” Economics Minister Guy Parmelin says in a videoposted on the website of the Organisation for Electricity Supply in Extraordinary Situations (Ostral).
An electricity shortage that extends for weeks or months, he explains, would mean “that factories could produce less, public authorities and service companies such as banks would have to reduce their offerings, and means of transport that depend on electricity, such as trains or trams, could only operate to a limited extent”.
The pandemic has underscored the importance of preparingas bestpossible for crises, the minister added.And should there be a shortage of electricity, Switzerland would need all consumers — especially large consumers such as companies — to do their part.
Switzerland riskssignificant problem guaranteeing electricity in the short and medium term, especially in winter, in the absence of progress on a deal with the EU, according to experts.
More
More
Switzerland could face electricity shortage by March
This content was published on If progress is not made on an EU deal, Switzerland is likely to face a significant problem guaranteeing electricity, especially in winter.
Read more: Switzerland could face electricity shortage by March
More
Will a drastic hike in Swiss inheritance tax lead to an exodus of billionaires?
Read more: Will a drastic hike in Swiss inheritance tax lead to an exodus of billionaires?
More
Swiss model killed in Bangkok in suspected stabbing
Read more: Swiss model killed in Bangkok in suspected stabbing
More
Switzerland Today
Read more: Switzerland Today
More
Human trafficking cases on the rise in Switzerland
Read more: Human trafficking cases on the rise in SwitzerlandMore
Debate
Hosted by: Thomas Stephens
‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. Blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?
Canny tourist operators have realised that many people will pay a premium to remove kids from their holidays. What does this say about society?
Join the discussion
11
Likes
22
Comments
More
Debate
Hosted by: Veronica DeVore
Have you encountered “overtourism”? How should popular destinations deal with it?
Places like Venice or Barcelona, and destinations in the Swiss Alps, are struggling with an influx of tourists. What to do?
Join the discussion
5
Likes
65
Comments
More
Debate
Hosted by: Pauline Turuban
What are the ethical considerations in medically assisted reproduction?
Do you think the authorities should allow people diagnosed as infertile to have access to assisted reproductive technology?
Join the discussion
6
Likes
8
Comments
News
More
Swiss foreign ministry wary of possible Middle East escalation
This content was published on A regional conflict must be prevented, said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Wednesday. Swiss citizens have been advised to leave Lebanon.
Read more: Swiss foreign ministry wary of possible Middle East escalation
More
Swiss stock exchange halts trading due to technolgy issues
This content was published on The stock exchange was forced to halt equity trading for several hours on Wednesday due to persistent technical snags.
Read more: Swiss stock exchange halts trading due to technolgy issues
More
Davos restaurateur fined for discrimination after sledge incident
This content was published on The operator of a mountain restaurant in Davos was fined for racial discrimination after refusing to hire sledges to Jewish guests.
Read more: Davos restaurateur fined for discrimination after sledge incident
More
High-speed rail links from Switzerland to Paris cancelled
This content was published on Swiss Federal Railways has advised against travelling to Paris on Wednesday due to the effects of bad weather in southeastern France.
Read more: High-speed rail links from Switzerland to Paris cancelled
More
Sudanese government agrees to attend Geneva peace talks
This content was published on Sudan’s government has conditionally accepted a US invitation, raising hopes for a solution to end the country’s 15-month-old war.
Read more: Sudanese government agrees to attend Geneva peace talks
More
Swiss artist Emil to be honoured at Zurich Film Festival
This content was published on Actor and cabaret artist Emil Steinberger will receive a “golden eye” award at October’s Zurich Film Festival.
Read more: Swiss artist Emil to be honoured at Zurich Film Festival
More
Swiss athlete Julie Derron lands silver in Olympics triathlon
This content was published on Switzerland has won a second medal at the Paris Games after Julie Derron finished runner-up in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday.
Read more: Swiss athlete Julie Derron lands silver in Olympics triathlon
More
SNB reports half-year profit as strong stocks offset franc gains
This content was published on The Swiss National Bank made a solid six-month profit on rising equities and gold prices, keeping hopes alive of resumed payouts to the government.
Read more: SNB reports half-year profit as strong stocks offset franc gains
More
Transport group wants direct international rail links from Geneva
This content was published on The Swiss Association for Transport and Environment (VCS) is calling for direct connections to London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Brussels.
Read more: Transport group wants direct international rail links from Geneva
More
Swiss Snow Institute develops laser for avalanche risk assessment
This content was published on The Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) is developing a laser system to better assess the risk of avalanches on traffic routes.
Read more: Swiss Snow Institute develops laser for avalanche risk assessment
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
IEA calls for a swift Swiss-EU deal on electricity
This content was published on A review of Switzerland’s energy policy warns that a planned phase-out of nuclear will make it difficult to remain low-carbon in the coming decades.
Read more: IEA calls for a swift Swiss-EU deal on electricity
More
Swiss electricity grid vulnerable to cyberattack
This content was published on Swiss electricity providers are vulnerable to a Colonial Pipeline style ransomware attacks, says an energy ministry report.
Read more: Swiss electricity grid vulnerable to cyberattack
More
Swiss reject framework agreement deal with EU
This content was published on Citing “substantial differences”, the government has decided not to move ahead with a controversial institutional agreement on relations with the EU.
Read more: Swiss reject framework agreement deal with EU