View of Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland. File photoGENEVA, Aug 9For the first time, the Swiss authorities may impose restrictions on energy consumption this winter in case of a shortage of electricity or gas, Thomas Grunwald, spokesman for the Federal Office for Economic Supply (OFAE) at the Swiss Ministry of Economy, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday. On Sunday, the head of the Swiss Federal Commission for Electricity ElCom Werner Luginbühl urged citizens to stock up on candles and firewood due to possible power outages in the country this coming winter.In Finland, shops will have to close in the winter due to energy problems»The use of electrical devices may be limited or prohibited, among others… In the past, the country's economic supply has already interfered repeatedly, in particular through mandatory reserves (strategic storage). Restrictions on energy consumption, however, were not among the measures,” he said. The spokesman added that the risk of electricity shortages is considered one of the highest in Switzerland. , consider the shortage of electricity and the influenza pandemic among the most serious risks for Switzerland,» he specified. Grunwald added that in the event of a shortage of electricity, a quota will apply to all institutions and enterprises. After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the West increased sanctions pressure on Russia, which led to higher prices for electricity, fuel and food in Europe and the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the policy of containment and weakening of Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and the sanctions dealt a serious blow to the entire world economy. According to him, the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people.
