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The more than 34,000 major electricity consumers are to be allocated quotas in the event of severe shortages in order to protect the grids. However, the main goal remains that, thanks to savings efforts, it does not come to that, as Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin confirmed.
The Federal Council has presented its escalation plan, which is eagerly awaited by the economy, in the event of an imminent severe power shortage. The plan is similar to that of gas, but much more detailed. He goes until December 12 in a shortened consultation.
The escalation levels were developed in cooperation with business and the cantons in order to keep economic damage and distortions of competition to a minimum. They should be put into effect situationally and based on the respective supply situation. With the primary goal of maintaining grid stability and thus the power supply, as Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin emphasized to the media.
The different stages
First, however, the government would make urgent austerity appeals to all electricity consumers. In further escalation steps, there would be comfort restrictions such as a ban on object lighting through to drastic measures such as company closures. Mains shutdowns are only intended as a measure of last resort – as a last resort.
A blackout must be prevented at all costs. The goal of every measure is to avoid something even worse.
As a further stage of measures, the Federal Council is considering the targeted staggering of the more than 34,000 large electricity consumers with an annual consumption of at least 100 megawatt hours. They account for almost half of Switzerland’s electricity consumption.
Big savings potential
In addition to the great savings potential, the focus on large consumers has the advantage that this measure can be implemented as binding and can be measured quickly, says Parmelin. As an essential measure against grid shutdowns, no exceptions are provided for in the quota system.
Allocation is a key measure to prevent network shutdowns. Therefore no exceptions are provided.
The allocation should be created for a day or a month. With monthly quotas, bulk consumers could use the quota distributed over the month according to their needs. For the winter of 2023/24, a solution is to be developed for companies with business premises in different distribution networks so that they can be allocated quotas throughout Switzerland.
Flexible handling of essential goods
Since the economy and in particular the operators of infrastructure for the supply of the country with essential goods and services depend on a flexible handling of quotas, the Federal Council wants to allow quotas to be passed on within a limited framework this winter. A comprehensive solution is to follow for the winter of 2023/24.
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Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin: “As with gas, the Federal Council would of course want to avoid the ordinances published today being used.”
Keystone/Peter Klaunzer
For licensed public transport companies, special provisions apply to quotas. They are based on the management model for public transport in the event of a power shortage, which SBB, as the system leader and operator of its own electricity network, has developed with the Association of Public Transport (VöV) and the Federal Office of Transport (BAV).