“We’re witnessing the first global energy crisis, with Europe at the centre,” the head of the Federal Office of Energy, Benoît Revaz, told a news conference on Wednesday.
He said efforts were underway to ensure energy supplies in the coming winter months, including an awareness campaign to encourage energy saving.
The head of the government’s advisory commission for electricity, Elcom, said the water levels of the reserves in the Alps were at a long-term average.
However, electricity production is comparatively low due to a dry spell and an early glacier melting season this year, according to Elcom director, Urs Meister.
Appeals
The Swiss electricity industry urged citizens to reduce energy consumption, notably hot water in households and lowering heating temperatures from autumn onwards.
The government has prepared a series of measures, including appeals to the population before resorting to rationing.
The consumption of natural gas could be reduced by 5% with voluntary measures according to experts.
They estimate that official energy saving measures could help cut consumption by up to 30% compared with current levels.
The Swiss government three weeks ago, outlined possible scenarios to compensate for potential shortages of Russian gas deliveries as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
The plans include deals with neighbouring Germany, France and Italy for gas supplies and plans to speed up the construction of additional power plants for hydro and wind energy in Switzerland.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Pope was a person full of respect: Swiss president
This content was published on
Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter, who is attending the funeral of Pope Francis, says the pontiff was always full of respect.
Ex-sect member sentenced in Zurich for sexual abuse
This content was published on
Zurich District Court has sentenced a former member of the globally active sect "Children of God" to a partial prison sentence.
SNB chairman does not rule out slowdown in Swiss growth
This content was published on
Martin Schlegel, chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), does not rule out a weakening of the Swiss economy in light of the tariff dispute.
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
Energy deemed most serious problem facing economy
This content was published on
Energy supply is the most pressing problem for the Swiss economy, according to Christoph Mäder, president of economiesuisse.
Swiss minister pushes for renewable energy to replace gas imports
This content was published on
Energy Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has warned of possible shortages of natural gas in Switzerland during the winter months.
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.