How should Switzerland deal with a power shortage? Almost three weeks ago, the Bundesrat presented how this should be done. Among other things with voluntary electricity savings. If that’s not enough, bans should be imposed in escalation levels. Depending on how tense the situation would be, saunas, escalators or heaters would then have to be switched off. In extreme emergencies, the network would be shut down for several hours in certain areas.
The federal government decides in the specific situation when these prohibitions and restrictions are announced. Associations and parties can respond to the plans until Monday.
From the replies received so far, it appears that hardly anyone is really interested in these plans.
Hospitals see patients who are at risk
For example, the H+ hospital association writes in its statement that systemically important companies must be completely excluded. “For hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities, an uninterrupted and complete power supply is vital,” the letter to the Federal Council said. Patient care is at stake.
Minister of Economy Guy Parmelin (63) took the position that companies with essential goods and services can also reduce their electricity consumption. This can happen in areas that are not systemically important, such as the cafeteria, writes the “Tages-Anzeiger”. Major hospitals, however, would be exempt from network shutdowns, reassuring the Federal Council in November.
No time for sauna police
Already in the first escalation phase, the government wants to prescribe that the heating in buildings and floors that are not in use must be set to frost protection or switched off. But to check this, it is impossible, is now complained.
The Conference of Cantonal Directors of Justice and Police (KKJPD) wrote in its response to the consultation that the police force had no resources available for this – “not even for random checks”. In its response to the consultation, the canton of Aargau also spoke out against an electricity and heating police that would keep private individuals on the thermometer.
SVP sees itself transferred to the GDR
The SVP is also very dissatisfied. She rejects her own federal councilor Parmelin’s plans to “completely overhaul”. The plans are “unrealistic, disproportionate and unsustainably distorting the market”. She is especially indignant that the Bundesrat writes that social control would play a certain role. “The fact that neighbors now have to check and accuse each other is reminiscent of working methods from the GDR,” the party complains. That is highly objectionable.
The SP applauds the planned efforts. However, it bothers her that households are being hit faster and more radically than the economy. For example, the room temperature in private homes can be limited to 18 degrees at escalation level 3, while the operation of amusement parks, casinos and discotheques is only prohibited at escalation level four.
Netflix would also be banned at level three!
And in the event of a power failure, ski lifts can still operate, while electricity for large consumers is already rationed. (you)