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Energy The water points are full: a blessing in this extraordinary winter
The mild temperatures do not only have disadvantages, particularly with regard to fears of electricity shortages.
The filling level of the Grande Dixence dam is “almost full”.
Grande Dixence dam/archive image
On the front of fears of electricity shortages in Switzerland, the scenario of a dreaded cold and dry winter has (for the time being) not materialized. And even if the temperatures are too mild upset especially the cycles of nature, the country’s reservoirs are full to the brim. Data that helps secure our energy supply, explains Nathalie Salamin, spokesperson for energy supplier Groupe E, interviewed by Freedom.
The group, which operates many water points throughout Switzerland, says that if the levels are high, it is mainly thanks to low consumption by customers in recent months. It would be 10% lower compared to the same three months of the previous year.
“It was the mild temperatures that had an impact on the drop in consumption for heating needs.”
Same scenario on the side of the dam of the Grande Dixence, where the filling level is “almost full”, explains Grégory Logean, president of the municipality of Hérémence (VS). “Apart from the strategic reserve of the Confederation, it is not the rains of recent weeks that have been decisive. But indeed the mild temperatures which have had an impact on the drop in consumption for heating needs.
And what if the white gold were still to be desired and the absence of snowmelt darkens the picture for next summer? “What is decisive are the accumulations above 2000 meters and the glaciers”, reassures the Valais politician, while specifying that it is “still early to extrapolate on the continuation”.
Large amounts of water before the holidays
Abundant amounts of rain fell between December 22 and 23, 2022, especially in the Col des Mosses (VD) region. “We’re talking about 110mm in two days,” explains Marianne Salamin-Hager of MeteoSwiss. “This is one of three record values recorded at this location. On average, we see this every 20 years.” Another extraordinary fact: these precipitations at the end of 2022 exclusively concerned rain, and not a rain-snow mixture.
Temperatures should gradually drop and a lot of snow is expected above 1,500 meters, especially in the Vaud Pre-Alps at the start of next week. “We are talking about 20 to 25 centimeters, which is welcome,” said the meteorologist. But since the ground is abnormally hot, the first flakes should melt quickly on contact with the floor of the cows.