Nearly 90 percent of companies surveyed expect significantly higher energy costs for the coming year. This is the result of a survey conducted by auditing and consulting firm EY. Nearly one-third of companies expect a cost increase of 11 to 30 percent. In fact, more than half of them think that the costs will increase even more.
As a negative result of rising costs, most companies say margins are shrinking and thus profits are melting. However, companies also see production and liquidity difficulties as possible effects. After all, for a quarter of those surveyed, rising energy costs and less availability of energy sources are not a critical challenge for operational business.
alternatives to gas
In addition, about half of the companies surveyed are not dependent on gas. 22 percent of the remaining companies can continue their activities with 20 percent less gas. In addition, third parties already have alternatives to gas, such as oil, wood, geothermal probes and diesel generators.
Better energy efficiency
However, 57 percent of the companies stated that they could not pass on the increased costs to their customers. That’s why more and more companies are prioritizing measures to mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. One-third will focus on improving energy efficiency over the next 12 months.
Fifth, it wants to completely replace fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives. Overall, two-thirds of companies have less gas and a contingency plan on how to deal with temporary power outages.
Consulting firm EY conducted the study in September 2022. Nearly 100 Swiss companies, 57 percent of which are SMEs, participated.
(SDA)