Due to the strong price fluctuations on the market, the electricity companies currently need enormous financial resources. The federal government wants to offer support to ensure that the supply remains secure.
Despite highly volatile prices, electricity should continue to flow undisturbed in the future.
Due to the war in Ukraine, prices on the electricity market are currently fluctuating more than ever. This historically high level of volatility means that some companies involved in electricity trading have to offer enormous financial security.
The failure of a system-critical company would endanger Switzerland’s power supply, which is why the Federal Council is examining measures to prevent such a case. As the federal government announced on Thursday morning, it is planning a rescue package for the electricity industry. However, Bern only wants to act on a subsidiary basis to the companies and their equity providers in order not to create false incentives.
The strict conditions for support include transparency regulations, interest rates in line with the market, a ban on dividend payments and securities in the form of pledging shares. The rescue parachute should only be available temporarily.
More information should at a media conference on Thursday morning at 9 a.m.