Government sticks to plans to open electricity market
The Swiss government says it is keeping to its plans to completely liberalise the domestic electricity market, despite criticism.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch/ilj
It has mandated energy minister Simonetta Sommaruga to come up with the necessary accompanying measures and consider how the energy law should be changed. This will be presented in the first four months of 2020.
Under the proposal, everyone in Switzerland would have a right to choose their electricity supplier freely. Since 2009, big power consumers have been able to choose their supplier, but not smaller companies or households.
This was supposed to have happened in a second stage, but the Swiss government delayed it in 2016 following criticism. It is now hoping that a second attempt will be successful, having put out its latest plans for consultation among interested parties.
In a statement on FridayExternal link, the government said most of those consulted wanted the market to be opened. But there were also calls for accompanying measures to guarantee supply and to ensure that Swiss companies were not disadvantaged.
Criticism had come from the political left and Swisscleantech that there were no measures to ensure the government’s energy strategy 2050 goals would be reached.
Sommaruga’s department will therefore prepare a package of accompanying measures totalling CHF215 million a year. This will include encouraging the use of domestic green energy.
More
More
Government plans to open electricity market
This content was published on
The Swiss government has presented a draft proposal to completely liberalize the domestic electricity market.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
OECD: Sluggish economic activity slowing growth in Switzerland
This content was published on
Sluggish economic activity at the start of the year is weighing on growth in Switzerland, with GDP expected to fall to 1.1% in 2024.
Report finds mistakes which led to Swiss government data breach
This content was published on
Mistakes were made by both the government and internet company Xplain in the case of a criminal cyber-attack on the Bern-based IT business.
Swiss government wants better gender balance in federal administration
This content was published on
New Swiss government personnel management targets say there must be even more female managers in the federal administration.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
This content was published on
In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
This content was published on
Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
This content was published on
Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
This content was published on
From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
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
Swiss government wants public consultation on EU framework deal
This content was published on
The Swiss government says it wants a public consultation before taking a final position on an “institutional framework” agreement with the EU.
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.
‘Let’s not jeopardise our liberal, secure and advantageous energy supply!’
This content was published on
The new energy law costs a fortune, sets unattainable targets and would deprive citizens of their decision-making powers on an unprecedented scale.
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.