If progress is not made on an electricity agreement with the European Union, at least at a technical level, Switzerland is likely to face a significant problem guaranteeing electricity in the short and medium term, especially in winter.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
This is the conclusion of an external report on supply security, presented to the government on Wednesday. The report examined the consequences of three scenarios: completely renouncing cooperation with the EU, reaching at least technical agreements with neighbouring countries, and doing an electricity deal with the EU.
In the worst-case situation (no cooperation), the situation would become critical by March at the latest, according to the report. Domestic electricity demand could then no longer be guaranteed for 47 hours. Under an extreme assumption, the supply could be interrupted for up to 500 hours.
Technical cooperation with the transmission grid operators would mean the defined stress situation could “certainly be managed”, the report says of the second scenario.
The safest option, however, would be an electricity agreement with the EU, which would treat Switzerland as an EU member state in the EU’s internal market.
Strained relations
An electricity agreement with the EU has been on hold since 2018. At the end of May the government unilaterally walked away from negotiations with the EU on an institutional framework agreement, which also further compromised the chances of an electricity agreement.
In June the Federal Electricity Commission repeated its concerns about Switzerland’s ability to secure sufficient power supplies in the coming years.
More than 40 power lines connect the Swiss and European transmission grids across borders. Italy, for example, imports electricity from Germany that flows through Switzerland.
More
More
Electricity watchdog sounds warning on Swiss energy security
This content was published on
The Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom) has again voiced concern about Switzerland’s ability to secure sufficient power supplies.
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 electricity grid vulnerable to cyberattack
This content was published on
Swiss electricity providers are vulnerable to a Colonial Pipeline style ransomware attacks, says an energy ministry report.
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.
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.