demand for energy
“The Federal Council must now declare a power shortage”
The chairman of the Energy Directors, Roberto Schmidt (60), criticizes the Federal Council. He demanded to prepare a contingency plan to overcome the power shortage.
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The chairman of the Energy Directors, Roberto Schmidt (60), criticizes the Federal Council. He demanded to prepare a contingency plan to overcome the power shortage.
For Energy Director Chairman Roberto Schmidt (60), the federal council is acting too slowly. “The Federal Council should really now announce the power outage,” he said in an interview with Tamedia Title. This is the only way to order precautionary “relatively painless” savings measures, such as turning off shop window lights. Without declaring a deficiency, the cantons and the federal government lack the ability to do so.
Schmidt would also like to see a clear federal contingency plan in the event of a power outage. “As chair of the Energy Directors’ Conference, I don’t know anyone,” Schmidt says. Draft rules exist for gas, but not for “much more complicated” electricity. The question is what will be shut down first and how will the life-saving infrastructure be maintained. “Unlike corona, this is a crisis that can be planned. So we have to plan them — now, » says Schmidt.
“Not at the last minute”
He also keeps an eye on the problems arising from the shutdown. It’s about how officials communicate when the Internet and mobile phones don’t work – and how the population reacts if thefts and looting can be prevented. “But we don’t hear anything from the federal level,” said Schmidt.
He advocates for the creation of a cross-departmental crisis management team at the federal level. It should work in tandem with the canton. “Cantons don’t want to be re-informed at the last minute – as in the Covid crisis – or involved in a pro forma consultation,” says Schmidt. (sda/louis)
