Will there be a power shortage next winter?

Bright sun, green slopes. The lack of snow this winter is not only bringing tears to skiers’ eyes. The drought is also causing sleepless nights for energy suppliers. For snow that does not fall cannot melt in the spring and fill the reservoirs.

During the balance media conference on Thursday, Alpiq boss Antje Kanngiesser (48) made no secret of the fact that a rainy spring and summer this year would be important for the hydropower reserve in the coming winter.

More imports in the summer

“The melting snow is very important for hydropower plants,” agrees Martin Koller (45), chief economist at Axpo. According to Koller, the glacial melt, which could be greater due to a lack of snow and high temperatures, cannot compensate for the lack of snow — either in quantity or geographically. Because there are only a few reservoirs that are fed by glacier water.

Will we be in the dark in a year? Koller doesn’t think so: “It’s unlikely we won’t be able to fill the reservoirs before next winter.” But adjustments will be necessary. If summer were as dry as winter, turbines would be used less, i.e. production would decrease. “As a result, Switzerland would import electricity in the summer instead of exporting it.”

That would not be a problem – in summer there should be enough solar and wind energy in Europe. In return, Swiss hydropower would be spared and set aside for the winter months. This would also be economically interesting, because electricity prices are higher in winter.

Price ceiling as the wrong signal

The power supply in the coming winter is not only a Swiss problem, but concerns the whole of Europe. The continent is coordinated accordingly. “Both the energy companies and the states are in constant contact and know the challenge.”

Koller is more concerned about the electricity and gas price caps being prepared in several EU countries than the weather. “I understand the motivation to protect end customers from high prices,” says the economist. “But such a cap gives a completely wrong signal. Because customers are then less frugal, which increases the shortages.”

Source:Blick