Switzerland is to set up a hydropower reserve at the cost of consumers to insure against possible electricity shortages at the end of the winter, according to a decree adopted on Wednesday by the government.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
Español
es
El Gobierno suizo crea una reserva de energía hidroeléctrica por prevención
Power plants will have to store a certain amount of water in return for payment from December 1 to May 15. The idea is not to be able to ensure supply during this period, only to cope with a possible shortage of a few weeks, the government said in a statementExternal link.
Energy Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told a press conference in Bern that the hydropower reserve is likely to cost between CHF650 ($662 million) and CHF700 million. This charge for security of supply is also intended to compensate the power plants for lost electricity sales.
Sommaruga considers the costs to be justifiable compared to the potential damage caused by a power shortage. Consumer grid costs will rise by around 1.2 centimes per kilowatt hour (KWh).
The reserve is to function as an insurance policy outside the market, the government stressed, to be used only in the event of critical shortages. Its use will be coordinated with the gas, oil and hydrogen reserve power plants that are currently being set up. The government has already taken steps to strengthen the supply of electricity in the face of rising prices and supply problems, due particularly to the war in Ukraine.
A call for tenders will be issued in October. If there are too few proposals or if they are too expensive, the Federal Department of Energy will be able to force power plant operators to set up a reserve against a fee set by the authorities.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
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?
This content was published on
The new regulation targets plants developed through new breeding technologies that don’t include transgenic genetic material.
WHO faces $1.8 billion budget shortfall amid US withdrawal
This content was published on
The 2026-2027 budget for the Geneva-based organisation has been reduced to $4.2 billion, on top of this year’s $600 million shortfall.
Swiss government proposes lifting nuclear power ban
This content was published on
While the centre-right and the energy sector are welcoming the Swiss government’s counter-proposal, the Greens are threatening to call a referendum.
Switzerland provisionally signs agreement on EU programmes
This content was published on
The agreement on EU programmes covers Switzerland’s involvement in initiatives like Horizon Europe, Euratom, ITER, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health.
Record-breaking winter for Swiss tourism driven by foreign visitors
This content was published on
A survey by Switzerland Tourism suggests this winter has outdone last season's record, largely thanks to foreign visitors and favourable weather conditions.
Swiss study predicts rise in global antibiotic use in farming
This content was published on
Global antibiotic use in livestock farming could rise by 2040, says a study by FAO and the University of Zurich. Switzerland expects minimal change.
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
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 population urged to save energy to mitigate winter shortages
This content was published on
The Swiss government has appealed to the population to save on household energy ahead of anticipated electricity and gas shortages this winter.
Swiss prepare for energy shortage ‘extreme scenarios’
This content was published on
Swiss government and cantons want to be prepared for “extreme scenarios” in the face of possible energy shortages this winter, an official says.
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.