Liechtenstein is examining measures in the event of electricity and gas shortages
Vaduz
“Solidarity is once again in demand”: Liechtenstein is sticking to Switzerland’s concepts for emergency plans for electricity and gas shortages
Measures are being examined in Liechtenstein to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent. In the event of a power or gas shortage, the country takes over the measures ordered by the Swiss Federal Council.
In the event of a gas emergency, the EU Commission has proposed a 15 percent reduction in gas consumption in the EU member states. This should initially be voluntary, but could also be carried out.
In the event of an emergency, the Commission is seeking special powers in order to be able to enforce even more drastic measures in Europe. First of all, between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, the member states are to bring about savings in gas consumption by the public sector, industry and consumers. The Swiss Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga has already let it be known that these savings will also be examined for Switzerland. Now Liechtenstein is following suit.
“Every state is required to make a contribution”
Due to the customs treaty, Liechtenstein is integrated into the national economic supply of Switzerland – “and participates in it with all rights and obligations”, reminds the Ministry of the Interior that Liechtenstein takes the measures ordered by the Federal Council in the event of an electricity or gas shortage. Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni says:
“Accordingly, we are also based on the relevant concepts in Switzerland when drawing up the emergency plans.”
It is also clear that in the event of a natural gas shortage in Europe, solidarity among the European partners will once again be required and that every state is therefore required to make an appropriate contribution and take appropriate precautionary measures. “It therefore makes sense to coordinate the emergency plans as well as possible with our European neighbors.” Regular exchanges therefore continue to take place with the responsible federal offices.
The gas supply is also integrated into the Association of the Swiss Gas Industry (VSG) and the Liechtenstein power plants (LKW) into the organization for electricity supply in extraordinary situations in Switzerland.
The first step: austerity appeals
But how many “smears” does Liechtenstein have to make in order to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent? According to gas supply, annual natural gas sales amount to 292.8 million kWh. However, the energy requirement varies greatly over the course of the year, as the ministry has stated.
In the summer months from June to September, the monthly gas volume is around 8 to 10 million kWh. In the winter months from November to February, demand increases to around 30 to 47 million kWh per month. And of this monthly amount, 15 percent would have to be saved.
Is the savings lever here already applied to private individuals? Sabine Monauni explains:
“According to the current state of knowledge, the national economic supply of Switzerland provides for a multi-stage procedure for management in the event of an impending gas shortage, which would also be used in Liechtenstein.”
In a first step, there will be austerity appeals to reduce gas consumption, which are aimed at all energy purchases. If the shortage persists, companies with secondary fuel plants will switch over.
Furthermore, the use of gas can be restricted for certain applications. “The voluntary savings and restrictions on use are intended to ensure that quotas can hopefully become the most drastic measure,” says Monauni.
Allocation: Private households last
If these measures are still not sufficient, the last step would be to set quotas. This initially affects all systems that do not belong to the so-called protected consumers. “Private households are among the protected customers and would therefore be the last to be affected,” says Monauni. Nevertheless, every individual is encouraged to save as much as possible in everyday consumption in order to reduce the country’s energy consumption.
“With every kilowatt hour of electricity and gas already saved today, reserves can be kept for the winter.”