published11. August 2022, 12:15
energy crisis“The Federal Council must now wake up and decide on energy-saving measures”
The EU gas emergency plan has been in effect since Tuesday. A wide variety of energy-saving measures are used. Measures are also required in Switzerland.
27 member states have committed to reducing their electricity consumption by 15 percent compared to the last five years.
20min/Matthias Spicher
Greece is asking its citizens to exchange old air conditioners and refrigerators for new, energy-saving models free of charge.
20min/Michael Scherrer
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Most EU countries have adopted energy-saving measures since Tuesday, but Switzerland has not yet. Politicians are calling for this to change.
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While some want to adopt the EU’s goal, others are calling for their own strategy.
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SP politician Martina Munz currently sees no need for action. One should not stir up panic.
The gas emergency plan has been in force in the EU since Tuesday. Gas is to be saved in the coming months in order to be prepared for a gas supply stop from Russia. Specifically, the 27 EU countries are to voluntarily reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent from the beginning of August to the end of March 2023 (see below).
This is how the EU countries save
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France wants to save electricity, especially in the air conditioning, heating and lighting of buildings. Supermarkets should close their doors more consistently when the air conditioning is on.
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In Italy, public offices may not be cooled below 25 degrees and only heated up to 19 degrees.
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Germany has put a coal-fired power plant back into operation, and more are to follow. The government has also launched an electricity-saving campaign. Savings on heating are also planned.
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Austria also wants to put shut-down coal-fired power plants back into operation. Large companies and power plants should also use crude oil as an alternative to gas. An energy saving campaign is to be launched in autumn.
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In Greece, street lighting is reduced to the essentials. Old air conditioners and refrigerators are to be replaced by energy-saving devices.
The EU’s emergency plan does not apply in Switzerland. Calls for austerity measures are getting louder here too. “The Federal Council must wake up and adopt energy-saving measures now,” says Green National Councilor Bastien Girod.
The federal government needs to spend money on this. “On the one hand, natural gas sellers must start an awareness campaign among their consumers to find out together where gas can be saved.” On the other hand, the federal government must organize an auction for companies. “Big consumers offer a certain reduction in gas consumption for a certain period of time. The most favorable offers will be accepted.»
Switzerland must act
GLP National Councilor Martin Bäumle is also of the opinion that Switzerland should adopt the EU savings target of 15 percent: “This target is not difficult to achieve. With just two degrees less in the apartment, twelve percent of gas can be saved.»
In order to achieve the goal, Bäumle not only wants to involve industry, but also the population: “The federal government should now quickly start a campaign to sensitize the population to save energy. At 30 degrees, cooling the rooms down to 20 degrees is superfluous and unhealthy. And in winter, if necessary, specifications should be made for heating.” For Bäumle it is clear: “Switzerland cannot simply do nothing and hope that the EU will then supply as much electricity and gas as we want in winter.”
Awareness campaign is “far too late”
Central National Councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter is calling for Switzerland to have its own strategy, as it has no guarantee for electricity imports from the EU. Energy-intensive companies in particular would be affected by the savings measures. “However, there must be incentives for everyone, even if the exorbitant price of electricity will probably automatically lead to savings.” An awareness campaign is also important now, says the center national councillor. “The Federal Council is much too late with this. The population is unsettled, as evidenced by the run on electric heating and wood.”
SP National Councilor Martina Munz sees no need for immediate savings. “We use most of the electricity for heating and water heating. Saving measures therefore make sense, especially in winter. That should be carefully planned.”
prevent panic
Implementing an emergency plan overnight would be hasty and counterproductive, says Munz. “An agreement between the various federal offices, industry and commerce is important.” Fostering panic unnecessarily can also cause damage. “More and more people are buying electric heaters for fear of a cold apartment in winter, which are real power guzzlers and pose a big problem.
