Liberalization of electricity: new law adopted by the Chambers

The Federal Chambers passed in extremis the new law on electricity, with the support of the PS and the Greens. A conciliation conference was necessary to separate the two Chambers. Finally, it was the option of opening up to the two-stage electricity market that prevailed. In the first five years, companies consuming more than 100 MWh per year (52% ofSwiss consumption) will have the free choice of the supplier.

A grouping of smaller consumers, to reach this limit of consumption, was refused. At the end of this first stage, an optional referendum can be launched before full liberalization. LApEl also provides for a guaranteed supply regime (but at what price?), For customers who will not want to stock up on the open market, and the creation of a national operating company. This company under private law will, directly or indirectly, be held in the hands of the cantons and municipalities at a rate of 51% minimum. As for the introduction of measures to develop renewable energies, the Energy Act provides for financing them with the aid of 0.6 cents per kWh, up to a ceiling of 320 million francs.

A referendum without waiting for the second stage

SIT is in favor of launching a referendum against LApEl, convinced of the dysfunctional market mechanisms, the negative consequences on employment and prices, the inevitable concentrations of actors and the power that will be left to them, inevitable decreases in investments in networks and production, with the risk of breakdowns that results. The unions circulated a petition, which collected 950 signatures from GIS staff, well placed to assess the harmful consequences of this law. It recalls the rejection of the LME in popular vote and opposition to any liberalization of the electricity market.

It urges the unions and Federations to launch the referendum against LApEl, with all the forces that consider that this liberalization is not inevitable. Some French-speaking cantons have already adopted transitional laws in order to hinder them, and in Geneva, the Energy-Waters initiative: our business, respect for the popular will! Is pending at the Grand Council. No offense to the USS,

who spoke out against the launch of a referendum, the People’s NO to the law on the electricity market was not respected. Let us bet that other forces will allow the people to vote against this liberalization bis. who voted against the launch of a referendum, the people’s NO to the law on the electricity market was not respected. We bet that other forces will allow the people to vote against this liberalization bis. who voted against the launch of a referendum, the people’s NO to the law on the electricity market was not respected. We bet that other forces will allow the people to vote against this liberalization bis.