For the first time since 2022, Switzerland could run out of electricity in the winter. But there is a gap in the expensive emergency plan.
Strictly according to regulations, Switzerland has demolished its old reserve power plant and set up a new one directly next to it. It will only be ready from February - and can do less than the old one.
Switzerland's largest reserve power plant was dismantled in Birr, Aargau, due to a lack of permit, leaving a gap in the country's emergency planning. The plant, which had eight natural gas generators capable of producing up to 250 megawatts of electricity, was not replaced in time for the current winter, with the new plant not expected to be ready until February 1, 2027.
The delay has raised concerns about Switzerland's vulnerability to power shortages during the winter months when it relies on importing electricity from Europe. The new plant, being set up by Italian company Ansaldo Energia, will have the same capacity as the old one but will not be operational until the winter is halfway over.
Written by urgent.news from NZZ Wirtschaft's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
