The average Swiss household will see its electricity connection costs double next year, as the grid operator plans for the first time to charge consumers for the cost of maintaining winter reserves.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/gw
Español
es
El precio de la electricidad en Suiza aumentará en 2024
An average household with an annual consumption of 4,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) will pay CHF146 ($158) for connecting to the power grid – more than double the current fee of CHF70 this year, the operator Swissgrid announced on Wednesday.
Behind this hike is an increase in the price of the transmission system coupled with the government’s decision to pass on the cost of keeping winter reserves to both private households and businesses. For the first time, consumers will bear the cost of hydroelectric reserves, reserve power stations and emergency power generators, all measures meant to ensure the country’s supply.
Swissgrid explained that the increase in prices was being driven by external factors on which it had no influence. Prices on the European electricity markets are expected to remain high amid an ongoing energy crisis; Swissgrid also anticipates a significant increase in procurement costs for the reserve of control power.
The operator believes that if it joined control energy platforms in the European Union, it would have a positive impact on fees and improve market liquidity and the security of the system. However, Switzerland and the EU have not signed an electricity agreement, as talks on a framework deal on bilateral relations remain stalled.
Swizerland will keep building tunnels, says construction firm chief
This content was published on
Implenia CEO André Wyss emphasised the importance of tunnel construction in view of urbanisation and the growing transport needs in Europe.
More people switching to generic medicine in Switzerland
This content was published on
Measures to encourage more people in Switzerland to use generic medicine in place of brand name originals appear to be working.
Nature magazine: scientific breakthroughs in medicine and space travel in 2025
This content was published on
The science magazine Nature expects breakthroughs in mind-reading machines, new weight-loss drugs, and particle physics in 2025.
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
Explainer: how the Swiss electricity market works
This content was published on
Switzerland is also suffering from the energy crisis, but a distinctive characteristic of its market is that it is only partially liberalised.
Fact check: will the Swiss be jailed for heating their homes above 19°C?
This content was published on
A rumour is circulating abroad that people in Switzerland will be fined – and even jailed – if they set their thermostat above 19°C.
Government moots backup plans in case of electricity shortages
This content was published on
The government has presented a draft step-by-step plan to come into effect should there be a serious shortage of electricity.
Study: solar panels only pay off in half of Swiss cities
This content was published on
Solar panel installations are only profitable in half of Swiss cities according to a new study. This could create hurdles for the expansion of solar energy in the country.
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.