Energy transition, geopolitical crises, supply shortages – these and other factors could lead to an electricity shortage. The large consumers are called upon to develop scenarios for a quota system. We at the VAP are actively working on this.
Electricity is available – that was taken for granted in Switzerland for decades. This is now being called into question: on the one hand, the replacement of fossil fuels by sustainable energy sources will limit the available energy resources in the coming years. On the other hand, geopolitical conflicts and supply bottlenecks may have an additional negative impact on their availability, as the current situation shows us.
Active participation required
Against this background, the Confederation has called on all large consumers to cooperate in the preparations for a possible electricity shortage. If an electricity shortage does indeed occur, the rail sector will have to restrict passenger transport services. Freight transport is to be maintained in line with demand.
Freight transport plays a key role
The railways play a system-relevant role in freight transport with domestic, import and export traffic for the supply of the economy and society. If a massive power shortage occurs, the freight logistics capability should basically remain intact. However, it must adapt to the changed demand.
This is also the great unknown. At present it is not possible to draw up reliable scenarios for the development of demand in the event of an electricity shortage. Certainly, the demand for transport capacity will change noticeably both in Switzerland and in our neighbouring countries. But depending on the sector, it may fall as well as rise.
Viewing rail operations as a system
To ensure that rail freight traffic can continue to roll even in a crisis situation, the sector must react to the changed demand in a timely manner with an adapted transport offer. This is only possible if the entire rail operation is viewed as a system. In other words, all operationally relevant functions must remain functional.
Scenarios in progress
In order to curb energy consumption in the event of a crisis, passenger transport will be guided by the reduced timetables that it has already drawn up and implemented in the pandemic year 2020. In freight transport, possible scenarios are being developed in close dialogue with the logistics sector and with a view to the economic supply of the country. According to the mandate, coordinated scenarios should be available by the end of 2022. We at the VAP are actively contributing our knowledge and experience to this process.
