From October 2022 to March 2023, gas consumption in the country fell by slightly more than the stated goal of 15%, RTS public television reported on Thursday.
The voluntary gas savings plan was set by the government in August 2022 as part of Europe-wide efforts. It largely involved urging households, industry, services and public institutions to turn down the thermostat, given that heating accounts for three-quarters of gas consumed in winter.
Voluntary switching of dual-fuel installations from gas to oil was also encouraged.
However, the aim of reducing electricity usage by 10% was not reached; by the end of March, consumption had dropped, but only by 4%, RTS said.
Green Party parliamentarian Delphine Klopfenstein told RTS that it was still important to do more to avoid future shortages. The government’s campaign to encourage savings, also launched last August, needed to be flanked by incentives and binding measures, she said.
According to the Federal Office of Energy, consumers should keep making an effort to voluntarily reduce usage this year, especially as price hikes on the energy market are only now starting to appear on end-user bills.
Dependent on imports
According to the Swiss Energy Foundation, Monday April 17 will mark the country’s “energy independence day” – the day on which the country’s domestic production of energy for the year runs out, and it becomes dependent on imports from abroad. Over 70% of Switzerland’s energy sources comes from abroad, the foundation said on Friday. This is down from 80% two decades ago. By European comparison the figure is middling; Estonia is most energy independent, at 98%.
Consumers still crave chocolate: Lindt & Sprüngli reports higher earnings
This content was published on
Lindt & Sprüngli sold chocolate worth CHF 2.16 billion in the first half of the year. This is slightly more than in the previous year.
This content was published on
Bollinger will succeed Philipp Rickenbacher, who resigned in February after a significant write-down on loans to the Signa Group.
Majority of young Swiss well-trained, army fitness test reveals
This content was published on
More than half of young Swiss men and women are considered well-trained, with around 80% meeting the federal government's exercise recommendations, according to the Armed Forces 2023 fitness test.
Italian consulate to relocate to ‘Casa d’Italia’ in Zurich
This content was published on
The Italian state is renovating the "Casa d'Italia" in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, with plans to move the Consulate General from its current location on Tödistrasse in District 2 to this historic building.
Swiss companies maintain financial stability amid European struggles
This content was published on
Swiss companies continue to demonstrate financial robustness compared to their European counterparts, although corporate restructuring activities have increased in recent months.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
Kudelski Group to sell Skidata division to Assa Abloy
This content was published on
The Kudelski Group is selling its Skidata division to the Swedish manufacturer of locking and security systems Assa Abloy.
Swiss split over nuclear power to plug energy shortages
This content was published on
Just over half of all Swiss believe that nuclear power plants are important to prevent a shortage of electricity, according to a survey.
New Swiss platform offers incomplete data on energy supplies
This content was published on
The government has launched a new portal for consumers to check Switzerland's energy supplies and to help prevent power shortages.
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.