Swiss officials have warned about the potential impact of a winter power outage and the possible public reaction that could follow. In interviews with national outlets, Police Chief Fredi Fessler discussed scenarios that might unfold if the electricity supply were disrupted, including limitations on cash machines, card payments, and fuel top-ups. He described a city at night, with dwindling access to everyday services, as a setting in which unrest or looting could occur. He stressed that this would be a worst‑case possibility and that authorities should prepare for it even if widespread compliance seems unlikely.
On August 7, Werner Luginbühl, the chair of the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission, publicly advised citizens to prepare for potential outages. His guidance emphasized practical steps for households, such as keeping a supply of candles or firewood to manage periods without power. The message aimed to reduce panic and help families stay safe during interruptions to electricity service.
Earlier, ElCom, the Federal Electricity Commission, had noted that some Swiss electricity providers faced the prospect of significant tariff increases in 2023, reflecting the broader risk of power cuts next winter. The warning underscored the possibility that higher energy costs, combined with reliability concerns, could affect households and businesses across the country, prompting conversations about resilience and contingency planning.