The Schweiz am Wochenende newspaper reportedExternal link on Saturday that a study by the Federal Office of Energy, the electricity operating company Swissgrid and the Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) says bans on energy usage and restrictions should not be necessary to help the country get through the cold season.
The “System Adequacy” study, which has not yet been published, developed four scenarios for this winter. For three of them, Switzerland should get through winter without bans, quotas or network cuts due to a combination of energy-saving measures carried out by the population, and savings and reserves built up by the federal authorities.
The study says the electricity supply situation for this winter is tense but should be brought under control.
The biggest risk is for a gas shortage. But Switzerland should avoid major problems thanks to hydropower reserves and planned reserve power stations.
But the Alpine country is not out of the woods. Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has already warned on several occasions that the energy crisis will last several years.
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Swiss companies brace for energy crunch
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Companies in the industrial and chemical industries are preparing to manage higher energy costs this winter
But winter 2023/2024 could be difficult, the report says. The situation could worsen because European gas storage reservoirs will probably be empty after winter, and it will be very difficult to refill them next summer.
The Swiss authorities have been preparing for possible energy shortages. In August the government launched a campaign encouraging the population not to waste energy amid the expected energy crunch linked to reduced supplies of oil and gas from Russia in the wake of its war in Ukraine.
In August the government also introduced a voluntary gas savings scheme in a bid to reduce demand from households and industry by 15%. Measures are in place to boost water reserves at hydropower plants and to increase gas storage facilities. Ten days ago the Swiss government put forward plans to create reserve power plants aimed at shoring up the country’s energy supplies during the winter.
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Switzerland sets out power contingency plans for winter
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The Swiss government has put forward a package of measures aimed at shoring up the country’s power supplies during the winter.
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By 8am on Saturday, an 11-kilometre queue had formed at the Gotthard tunnel’s northern entrance, with drivers facing nearly two hours of delays.
Plant-based meat market in Switzerland set to grow to CHF361 million by 2030
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Switzerland’s market for plant-based meat alternatives has a potential value of around CHF 242 million this year, though it remains a niche market.
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The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.
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Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.
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Fewer attacks on Swiss ATMs but their future remains uncertain
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Bank ATMs in Switzerland are less prone to attacks by criminals, but their future remains uncertain given the less active use of cash by the population.
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A series of rockfalls occurred above the village of Brienz between 9 and 12 July. According to the municipality of Albula, the overall situation remains tense. Several people disregarded the ban on entering the area around the village.
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Arosa Bergbahnen achieved the highest figure in its 95-year history in the 2024/25 financial year with net revenue of CHF 37 million. Arosa Lenzerheide was able to capitalise on strengths such as snow reliability and the size of the ski area in a long winter season, the company announced on Thursday.
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Energy crisis ‘will last many years’, says economics minister
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Guy Parmelin says it is important not only to think about the winter, but to do everything to ensure that Switzerland produces more energy.
Swiss companies and towns join forces to save energy
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Switzerland launches Energy Saving Alliance of companies, cantons, civil society and towns to preserve winter gas and electricity supplies.
Switzerland sets out power contingency plans for winter
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The Swiss government has put forward a package of measures aimed at shoring up the country’s power supplies during the winter.
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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.