The European Union wants to save 15 percent of gas
Switzerland will not join Brussels!
From Monday, EU countries want to voluntarily use 15 percent less gas to prevent shortages. And Switzerland? She didn’t join the savings plan – because she couldn’t!
Vladimir Putin (69) screws onto the gas faucet. And only in one direction: run it slowly. Russian gas company Gazprom recently announced that it will reduce gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline on the Baltic Sea from the current 40 percent to 20 percent of maximum capacity. Energy ministers from all EU countries are excited. Europe fears the end of gas supplies from Russia.
Von der Leyen contingency plan: EU countries must provide 15 percent of gas(01:12)
Therefore, representatives of the European Union countries developed a contingency plan to reduce gas consumption. From August 1 to March 31, 2023, national consumption will be voluntarily reduced by 15 percent. In case of long-range supply bottlenecks, binding savings targets may be introduced.
Switzerland depends on Germany
The emergency plan has broad support – including that of Germany, which is heavily dependent on gas supplies from Russia. Switzerland is also at the end of Germany’s gas pipeline. Three quarters of the gas consumed in this country comes from Germany. Switzerland is dependent on Germany to continue supplying gas even in case of shortages. So, should Switzerland also participate in the contingency plan?
Blake asked the Federal Environment, Transportation, Energy, and Communications Administration (UVEK). “Currently it is not possible to determine the effects of the initial voluntary actions (…),” she says. However, the Federal Council cannot currently issue a concrete EU-style reduction target. The National Economic Supply Act prohibits embarking on a reduction in gas consumption before a shortage occurs.
A crucial question: who should be dispensed with?
UVEK doesn’t want to let it get that far. In the background, they have been working for months to find solutions to secure supplies for the coming winter. “Switzerland is in talks about a solidarity agreement with countries with which we have direct links in the gas sector,” says UVEK. Corresponding talks between Switzerland and Germany have already begun on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos GR.
So there is no concrete goal to cut gas in Switzerland. However, last week the federal government presented a four-stage plan in the event of a gas shortage. First and foremost, the Federal Council relies on calls for austerity. If that is not enough, dual fuel systems are converted from gas to oil. And if all else fails, restrictions and quotas cannot be avoided.
However, the crucial question is who will have to do without gas in the case of rations. Protected are private families as well as hospitals and blue light organizations. On the other hand, industrial firms have to shiver because of their supplies.
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