Voluntary measures to save energy a success

For the first time in nearly a decade, voluntary measures to save energy have outweighed the consumption curbs imposed by regulations in Switzerland, the authorities said Monday.

For the first time in nearly a decade, voluntary measures to save energy have outweighed the consumption curbs imposed by regulations in Switzerland, the authorities said Monday.

The Federal Office for Energy said the efficiency of the government’s Energy 2000 programme was up by 30 percent, and that the targets could be reached if additional measures were taken.

By the year 2000, the consumption of fossil fuel-based energy as well as carbon dioxide emissions are to be stabilised at the level of 1990. A follow-up energy saving programme, which is currently being prepared, is to help further reduce energy consumption through predominantly voluntary and market-oriented measures.

The energy office said the 30 percent efficiency gain in 1998 translated into a reduction of energy consumption of 4.3 percent, which equalled the amount of energy used by the southern canton of Ticino or the cities of Berne and Basel together.

Some of the reduction came from the use of more energy-efficient electric or electronic appliances and equipment, which amount for 13 percent of electricity consumption.

In the same period, the programme also led to investments of SFr1 billion and 9,500 new jobs.

However, the office warned that, contrary to the aims of the Energy 2000 programme, consumption of electricity and fossil fuel increased had increased by 6.5 and 6.1 percent respectively since 1990, when the programme was launched.

The office said that relatively low energy prices were to be blamed for consumers not holding back in the sector.

From staff and wire reports.