Switzerland is still diligently saving energy. In October, households and businesses consumed significantly less electricity than at present.
In total, 4107 gigawatt hours of electricity was consumed in Switzerland. Compared to the average consumption over the past seven years in the same month, this is a decrease of about 13 percent. This is apparent from an analysis by news agency AWP based on the latest statistics from network operator Swissgrid.
In September and August, final consumption already decreased compared to the long-term average. This trend continued at a high level in October.
Budget cuts have an effect
The energy-saving measures launched by the Federal Council across Switzerland at the end of August are clearly having an effect. Among other things, the Federal Council has invested about 10 million Swiss francs in a broad campaign with the motto “Energy is scarce. Let’s not waste it».
The weather also contributed to the low power consumption. According to data from SRF Meteo, October 2022 was the warmest since the measurements started in 1865. For example, when it is not so cold, less electricity is needed for heating.
However, the reduced power consumption cannot be attributed solely to the warm weather – as a regional example also shows. Energy supplier EWZ compares the power consumption in the city of Zurich with the expected consumption based on weather data.
In the second half of October in particular, this weather-adjusted electricity consumption was lower than expected. It was mainly Zurich households and smaller companies that saved electricity.
Higher electricity production
While less electricity was being consumed, at the same time, electricity production in this country increased. According to Swissgrid, a total of 5,114 gigawatt hours of electricity was produced in October, 9.4 percent more than the long-term average.
Switzerland imported significantly less electricity from neighboring countries last month than usual. With just over 2,500 gigawatt hours of electricity, imports from Germany, France, Austria and Italy are down 22 percent from the long-term average. Electricity exports were also slightly lower than normal in October at just over 2,400 gigawatt hours (-5.8 percent).
The Swissgrid data is based on information from the 650 electricity companies in Switzerland. The final electricity balance for Switzerland, as later published by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), may differ slightly from this data due to different recording methods. (SDA)