Västervik can cut the electricity in two days - but is waiting for national directives

Saving power now during the electricity crisis doesn't just mean saving money.

By lowering electricity consumption in general, you can relieve the electricity grid and prevent a possible blackout.  

For now, however, the lights are on in the public environment.

In Västervik, for example, the water tower, advertising signs and street lamps are lit as usual.

Municipalities are also urged to find opportunities to save power.

Photo: Tobias Keller / private

Lighting of water towers - defensible in an electricity crisis?

Photo: Tobias Keller / private

Can turn off every third lamp

Per-Erik Ekström is electricity grid manager at Västervik's environment and energy, and according to him there is potential to save electricity.

With two days' notice, it would be possible to reduce the number of street lights that are on.

- If the municipality decides, for example, that we should turn off every third lamp post, we can save 33 percent of the consumption for lighting, says Per-Erik Ekström

- But Västervik environment and energy cannot act on its own.

The decision to turn off part of the street lighting rests with the municipality.

Turning off the lighting of public municipal buildings such as Västervik's water tower can save tax money, but would also be a stance.

"Awaiting Directive"

Ulf Kullin is head of administration at Västervik municipality.

He tells SVT that they think through the municipality's power consumption like every ordinary household, but that they await guidelines from above.

- We are awaiting a directive from the energy authority.

If there is a national directive, we will of course follow it, says Ulf Kullin.