Keller-Sutter rides hash browns in the parade

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7 million francs. SVP Minister of Energy Albert Rösti (55) is requesting this amount from Parliament as an additional loan for the continuation of the Winter Energy Saving Initiative (Wespi) in the coming winter. In addition, 4 million francs of funds have been transferred to the Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), so that about 11 million francs can be planned for the savings campaign this year. Almost as much as in 2022, when 11.2 million francs were spent on it.

However, the SVP judge actually wanted more money to educate the population on how to cook eggs in an energy-efficient way, ventilate more environmentally consciously and take shorter showers.

Rosti wanted more

Originally, 14 million francs would be available for the savings campaign this year: 4 million internally compensated and 10 million as an additional loan. All this in consultation with the economic department of SVP federal councilor Guy Parmelin (63), who is responsible for the country’s economic supply. This is apparent from documents that Blick has received on the basis of the Government Information (Public Access) Act.

Rösti also wanted to plan 7 million francs per year for the years 2024 to 2026, of which 2 million will be internally compensated and 5 million will be reserved for raising the ceiling. A total of CHF 35 million is to be spoken by 2026.

The energy crisis is likely to continue

“The duration of the energy crisis is difficult to estimate,” Rösti explained planning in his discussion paper. “It must be assumed that additional measures and funds will also be required in the coming years.”

To prevent the funds from having to be applied for afterwards via a costly supplementary or urgent credit, Rösti wanted to prevent the funds from being withdrawn. This should allow for “longer-term cooperation” and the “necessary WTO procurement” – and thus compliance with legal procurement principles.

However, the additional funds may not be released until the Bundesrat gives the green light for an extension.

Keller-Sutter slows down Rösti

During the official consultation, the plans encountered resistance. FDP Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (59) played the leading role as a spoilsport. “We’re pinpointing savings potential,” Keller-Sutter’s Finance Administration (EFV) officials made clear in their statement. Your request: Wespi supplementary credit must be reduced from 10 to 2.5 million francs.

The energy supply has been “less stressed” since the beginning of February, gas and water storage facilities are “well supplied” and energy prices have recovered. “An expensive campaign to save energy will probably have no effect in the current situation,” said the Tax Authorities. A year-round campaign should therefore be avoided and the focus should be on “the second half of the year”. In their savings application, the tax officials once again point to the “extremely difficult” financial situation of the federal government.

But the EFV went even further with the savings hammer. Before 2024 there should be no financial increase at all. Again, the SFOE would have to raise the funds internally. This way it is cheaper for the federal government. The financiers assessed the commitment credit until 2026 as “substantively questionable” and rejected it.

Blick knows: already last year Keller-Sutter applied for a Wespi additional loan for 2023 to completely waive it. Instead, the SFOE would have to fund the savings campaign entirely from existing funds. The FDP federal councilor flashed it off.

Rösti has to compromise

Rösti tried to salvage what could be salvaged and urgently warned his Federal Council colleagues about the consequences of a credit cut. Russian gas will be eliminated from the beginning of this year, he warned. “If there is a shortage of gas in Europe, it will also affect the electricity supply.”

Switzerland is dependent on gas imports all year round and on electricity imports in winter and cannot simply hope for a mild winter. “The previous measures to secure the energy supply must therefore be continued,” says Rösti. Because: “If major savings measures are needed in the autumn of 2023, it will not be possible to respond in time.”

Rösti only got halfway with his appeal and had to accept compromises. In early March, instead of 10, the Federal Council approved only an additional 7 million francs for the current year. If Rösti wants money in the coming years, he has to trot again.

Source:Blick