Geneva. File photoMOSCOW, Aug 20Electricity prices for households in Switzerland will increase by at least 30% next year, the country's association of electricity companies said. According to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, many energy supply companies have decided in recent weeks on new tariffs for the coming year. «Half of the utilities businesses will increase the price for households by 30% or more,» the association of electric utilities in Switzerland told the publication. For example, for a family living in five rooms, electricity costs will increase by about 315 Swiss francs (about $ 330) a year newspaper. Businesses such as a large bakery will face an increase in energy costs of around 10,000 francs, the article says.In Europe, electricity could rise in price by 20 percent, said the expertThe risk of electricity shortages is considered one of the highest in Switzerland. Earlier, 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. The Swiss authorities had previously announced that for the first time they could impose restrictions on energy consumption in the event of a shortage of electricity or gas. After the beginning of a special operation in Ukraine, the West increased sanctions pressure on Russia, which led to an increase in 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.
