Will Switzerland find itself in the dark this winter?
Although very rich, Switzerland is afraid of running out of electricity this winter if the French nuclear reactors remain shut down and if Berlin, because of the war in Ukraine, reduces its exports of gas-fired electricity.
In summer, Switzerland, Europe’s water tower thanks to its hundreds of hydroelectric power stations, exports electricity, but in winter it is the opposite. This is usually not a problem, but since the war in Ukraine, Russian gas no longer flows in Europe.
However, Switzerland, which has no gas reserves on its soil, imports electricity produced with gas in Germany in winter, faced this year with the reduction in Russian gas deliveries.
“The other problem is that on the French side half of the nuclear fleet is shut down” due in particular to corrosion problems, explained to AFP Stéphane Genoud, professor of energy management at the large university school HES-SO.
It is this combination of factors that raises fears of electricity shortages. In recent days, the government has called not to dramatize, while ensuring to prepare for power shortages.
The chairman of the Federal Electricity Commission, Werner Luginbühl, warned that cuts of several hours are to be expected.
The Swiss, meanwhile, are rushing for generators and balcony solar panels, while left-wing parties are calling for quick action.