published2. June 2022, 09:45
The SP fears a supply crisis with electricity and gas in winter. She therefore demands, among other things, that this winter the heating should not exceed 20 degrees.
Because there is a risk of a supply crisis in winter, rooms should only be heated up to 20 degrees.
Beat Mathys
Furthermore, reservoir walls should be allowed to be increased more easily.
20min / Taddeo Cerletti
Switzerland must now make preparations to reduce its gas consumption in winter should bottlenecks arise. The SP is of this conviction and is therefore demanding a strategy from the Federal Council. According to the SP, there could also be a supply gap for electricity if it is particularly cold and electricity is scarce in Europe.
The party is therefore demanding a plan for energy security and solidarity with other European countries from the Federal Council. “The control of the gas supply and electricity imports can only be thought of in connection with Europe,” says a position paper. In three steps, the SP wants to prevent bottlenecks in electricity and gas.
Step 1: Less heating, less gas for industry
In order to reduce electricity consumption, the party proposes four measures:
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A program to replace obsolete and inefficient electrical equipment.
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The replacement of gas by heating oil in industry and in district heating, provided that a corresponding system is available.
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A slight reduction in gas consumption from the start of the heating season. Rooms should be heated one degree less or only heated up to 20 degrees.
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Negotiating a solidarity agreement with neighboring countries.
Step 2: Temperatures below 20 degrees, industry disconnect the gas
Should a supply crisis nevertheless occur, the SP proposes four other temporary measures to reduce energy consumption:
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An additional reduction in temperature in buildings heated with gas.
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The disruption of gas supplies to certain industries with appropriate compensation to companies.
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A reduction in power consumption when heating, i.e. with electrical resistance heaters and possibly also with gas pumps.
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The population should be called upon to temporarily use less electricity in other areas.
Step 3: Solar obligation, higher reservoir walls, 4000 skilled workers per year
According to the SP, these eight measures should be applied in the short term this winter if this becomes necessary. The SP has also drawn up six measures for the medium term:
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Solar obligation for large roofs and new buildings.
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Introduction of an exceptional procedure for the direct approval of solar parks on the ground for a total of three gigawatts.
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Declare reservoir elevation projects and both new constructions listed in the Hydropower Round Table Memorandum of Understanding to be of national interest.
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Launch of a national energy transition campus to train 4000 professionals annually.
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Start of a national 300-megawatt pilot program to generate hydrogen from the summer surplus of renewable electricity using the “power-to-gas” process.
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Participation in European projects for reindustrialization.
According to the SP, the Federal Council should draw up a plan to achieve these goals. According to the party, this should include setting up an operational mechanism to temporarily reduce consumption in order to “avoid chaos” and be credible with neighboring countries. A cooperation and solidarity strategy is also to be developed. In addition, the rescue package is to be passed quickly in parliament in order to prevent a liquidity crisis for the electricity companies.