DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Switzerland announces austerity energy plan: What you need to know
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Switzerland announces austerity energy plan: What you need to know

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Major changes in Switzerland in 2024: What expats need to knowMajor changes in Switzerland in 2024: What expats need to know
Switching off Christmas lights saved Swiss city just 70 francs last yearSwitching off Christmas lights saved Swiss city just 70 francs last year
After all that...Elcom confirms energy shortage in Switzerland highly unlikelyAfter all that...Elcom confirms energy shortage in Switzerland highly unlikely
Netflix and ironing bans: Switzerland's last-stand energy plan explainedNetflix and ironing bans: Switzerland's last-stand energy plan explained
Random checks, fines and cold showers: Swiss energy crisis plan explainedRandom checks, fines and cold showers: Swiss energy crisis plan explained
Swiss dams brimmed in preparation for energy shortages, ElCom confirmsSwiss dams brimmed in preparation for energy shortages, ElCom confirms
Switzerland to build emergency power plants to help avoid blackoutsSwitzerland to build emergency power plants to help avoid blackouts
Swiss city to switch off all streetlights between 1am and 5am on weekdaysSwiss city to switch off all streetlights between 1am and 5am on weekdays
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Aug 31, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

At a conference on August 31, the Federal Council announced a detailed plan on how it intends to reduce gas consumption in Switzerland. To help prevent blackouts this winter, the government has launched a new energy austerity campaign called “Energy is scarce. Let’s not waste it.”

Swiss government: every kilowatt-hour saved counts

"Every kilowatt hour counts, whether it's being produced, saved or not wasted. The potential for saving is huge, let's do it!" exclaimed Economic Minister Guy Parmelin. Speaking at the conference, he said that the government, cantons, businesses and the public should be ready to begin saving energy now to prevent a shortage during the winter.

"We don't have any bottlenecks at the moment, the energy supply is working well," assured Energy Minister Simonetta Sommaruga, but admitted that the country had to do everything it can to save energy now while supplies are still available. She said that the new campaign was designed to inform the public about the “often forgotten” things people can do to save power.

Cantonal Energy Director Roberto Schmidt concurred that it was important to act now to save energy, not just in winter when the crisis is expected to hit. “The risk of a power shortage is large and real. Everything we can do now is important," noted Director of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies, Michael Frank.

The Energy is scarce, Let's not waste it campaign in Switzerland

The "Energy is scarce. Let’s not waste it" (Die Energie ist knapp. Verschwenden wir sie nicht) campaign is the government's first planned step to help reduce power consumption in Switzerland. The public awareness campaign, which has the support of the government, all Swiss cantons and businesses, is designed to encourage residents to reduce energy consumption to the point where there will not be an energy shortage to begin with.

The campaign recommended that people living in Switzerland adhere to the following measures:

  • Lowering the heating temperature in houses and offices
  • Reducing the amount of hot water consumed
  • Taking showers instead of baths
  • Turning off electrical appliances, equipment and lights when not in use instead of leaving them on standby
  • Not using excessive energy through cooking (i.e. using a lid when boiling water)
  • Set appliances to energy-saving settings

The awareness campaign will be advertised across Swiss cities and cantons on billboards, TV channels and ads on mobile phones. Anyone with specific questions, or those wanting some more energy-saving tips, can visit the official website.

Swiss government may be forced into stricter measures

Concluding the conference, Guy Parmelin said that if voluntary austerity measures are not enough, the government will be forced to resort to further action. These measures, which were roughly outlined in a conference last week, would involve strict quotas on energy for businesses, and possible bans on gas usage in some settings. “If a crisis occurs, we have to act. We're preparing for that now," he assured.

By Jan de Boer