Swiss Energy Industry Rebels Against EU Electricity Deal
The Swiss energy industry is expressing dissatisfaction with the local implementation of the EU electricity agreement. The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) has circulated two versions of its consultation response, reflecting the industry's resistance. Major players like Alpiq, BKW Group, and Axpo have also voiced their criticism.
The industry's main concerns revolve around the 'costs of basic supply', which could become more complex and expensive under the new rules. The 'separation of network and operation' principle is another point of contention, as it would increase personnel budgets and operating costs. Ronny Kaufmann, CEO of Swisspower Alliance, has demanded urgent adjustments to the draft, describing it as 'catastrophic' and 'unusable'.
Despite these concerns, a poll shows that almost 2/3 of the Swiss population want to get closer to the EU. This disparity highlights the tension between the public's desire for EU integration and the energy industry's dissatisfaction with the current implementation.
The Swiss energy industry's unhappiness with the local implementation of the EU electricity agreement is clear. With major players threatening to reject the entire package and describing the draft as 'absurdly bureaucratic', the Swiss government may need to revisit its plans to ensure a smoother transition.
