On August 31, ministers urged the population to voluntarily reduce consumption ahead of anticipated shortages this winter. Recommended measures included turning heating down and switching off lights.
Both the Tages Anzeiger and Neue Zürcher Zeitung showed figures on Saturday that suggests this plea has so far fallen on deaf ears. Electricity consumption did not drop in September and was at around the same levels as the same month last year.
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Switzerland braces for winter energy crunch
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Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
Both newspapers cautioned that the data is incomplete as some large energy consumers have yet to report their figures. But the early indications do not look promising for the “Energy is scarce, let’s not waste it” scheme, despite a poll earlier this week that suggests half of households are willing to make sacrifices.
It might be too early to judge whether the desired electricity cuts can also be achieved this winter, say experts, who told the newspapers that households could take longer than a month to start reacting to government recommendations.
In addition, manufacturers could be ramping up production at the moment to make up for later electricity shortages.
Werner Luginbühl, president of the electricity watchdog Elcom, told the Tages Anzeiger that people are weary of mandatory measures following Covid-19 lockdowns.
But some politicians have criticised the government for being too cautious and are urging ministers to impose compulsory electricity reduction targets.
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