Valais, Swiss hydroelectric power

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A strong GDP (gross domestic product), larger population and leap year all contributed to a 2.3 percent increase in energy consumption in Switzerland in 2008, the federal government says. The 58.7 billion kilowatt hours set a record for annual consumption. Electricity production also set a record, up 1.6 percent, but it was unable to keep pace with consumption and Swiss electricity exports to neighbouring countries in summer were nearly halved. In winter, when Switzerland imports some electricity, the amount needed rose.

The parallel between electricity needs and higher GDP was clear, figures show:  for the year as a whole GDP rose 1.6 percent and cold weather, measured as heating degree days (HDD) was up 7.9 percent. But Swiss GDP was stronger in the first two quarters of 2008, and as it began to fall, to an increase of only 0.4 percent for Q3 and Q4, so did the number of HDDs, down 3.1 percent compared to the same period in 2007.

The number of people resident in the country rose 1.2 percent, or 91,800 people, a contributing factor. That one extra day, 29 February, on its own accounted for a 0.3 percent increase in consumption.

Details, Swiss government press release (Eng), 15 April 2009

Background, “Electricity suppliers say new overhead lines needed urgently,” 28 May 2008, GenevaLunch

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.