Government sticks to plans to open electricity market
The Swiss electricity network (archive picture)
Keystone / Maxime Schmid
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.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
This content was published on
The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
This content was published on
During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
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.