Electricity emergency plan: In the event of a shortage, 130 Migros stores would have to close

publishedJul 17, 2022 at 2:50 am

Power Contingency Plan: In the event of a shortage, 130 Migros stores would have to close

If the electricity runs out, the federal government pulls the ripcord. In reality, this means that some of the supermarkets would also be closed. At the end of August, the federal government should provide information on precise measures.

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In the event of a power shortage, every fifth Migros branch would have to close. (icon picture)

IMAGO/SEPA.Mean

The scenario does not have to happen, but various factors mean that there is a significant risk of a power shortage.

imago images/Andreas Haas

The impending power shortage is keeping government and society busy. As the “Sunday newspaper» reported, a real power shortage would not only have consequences for the population. For Migros, that would mean that the wholesaler would have to close no fewer than every fifth branch. With the current 658 Migros markets, 130 shops would have to be closed, the newspaper learned from power supply companies.

Refrigerated shelves, lighting, lifts and everything that keeps retail stores running consumes electricity. Despite the threat of closures, the food supply would be guaranteed by Migros. According to the “Sonntagszeitung”, Coop is working on current emergency plans and is in contact with the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (BWL).

The federal emergency plan provides for a four-stage escalation plan in the event of a real power shortage. This includes austerity appeals, restrictions, quotas and network shutdowns. Private households are not affected by quotas. Street lights can be switched off and shopkeepers can be obliged to switch off shop window lights.

Individual locations would be completely shut down

A spokesman for the BWL also confirmed to the “Sonntagszeitung” that “in the event of a power shortage, companies might be affected by management measures”. At the end of August, the public should be informed regarding further steps and precise measures. Migros has not commented on specific measures to the newspaper.

According to research by the “Sonntagszeitung”, companies must expect to reduce electricity consumption to 80 percent of the amount normally required. The impending power shortage is becoming more and more realistic. Various factors such as the war in Ukraine, Russian gas supplies and the low levels of the reservoirs as well as possible import restrictions increase the risk.

(sys)