Switzerland may join EU plan to slash gas use - Reuters

This was reported by Reuters with reference to the statement of the 95th President of Switzerland and member of the Federal Council of Switzerland, Simonetta Sommaruga. 

"The situation is serious", Sommaruga said, adding that the Swiss Electricity Commission's call for households to stock up on candles in case of blackouts this winter was a "wake-up call for everyone".

In late June, the Swiss government laid out plans to address possible natural gas shortages this winter and said it may resort to rationing if other measures prove insufficient.

Landlocked Switzerland gets its gas through neighboring EU countries, and gas accounts for around 15% of its total energy consumption.

According to the government, about 42% of gas is used for heating residential premises, and the rest is used in industry, services, and transport.

Asked whether Switzerland should adhere to the EU agreement, which requires all bloc countries to voluntarily cut gas consumption by 15% this winter, Sommaruga said: "It makes sense, and the Federal Council will decide".

She also said the government would launch a campaign in this direction in the coming weeks and that she would push for less heating in public buildings.