Despite a significant drop in the price of electricity, thermal baths in French-speaking Switzerland do not plan to reduce their entry prices. A decision which raises questions, while prices had increased following the surge in energy costs. Explanations.
Hot water, nozzles, water jets… Thermal installations are among the most energy-intensive. In Bains de la Gruyère (FR) for example, nearly a million kilowatt hours are consumed each year. A considerable expense which exploded when electricity prices rose.
“From 2022 to 2023, the cost of energy, as far as we are concerned, has increased fivefold. Obviously, we had to correct the price charged. We therefore went from 30 to 32 francs on Saturday and Sunday. week, we maintained a price of 30 francs”, explains Stéphane Schlaeppy, director of the Hôtel Cailler and Bains de la Gruyère.
In Valais, at Bains de Saillon, which reopened its doors at the end of 2022 after a fire in the midst of an energy crisis, a similar increase has been put in place. The price of admission has increased by three francs, to cope with an annual consumption of 6.5 million kilowatt hours. “Our thermal water comes from our wells, it reaches 23 degrees and then we have to raise it to temperature and maintain it. This represents a significant part of our electricity consumption cost,” explains Dan Meylan, general manager of Bains de Saillon.
Why prices won’t go down
Despite the drop in electricity prices for this year, none of the thermal centers surveyed plan to reduce their prices. “The price of electricity in 2023 was so expensive that we were not able to reflect that on prices. Now, we must amortize it over the years to come,” declares Stéphane Schlaeppy.
Other establishments cannot take advantage of lower energy prices due to fixed-term contracts. “As a large consumer, we have a fixed-term contract, at a fixed price. So it’s not like for private individuals. We have no impact on our prices from the drop in energy.” explains Dan Meylan.
-Energy transition in progress
To reduce their dependence on electricity suppliers, Bains de la Gruyère and de Saillon have invested in photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of their buildings.
In Saillon, these installations cover 5 to 10% of energy consumption, while they meet almost a quarter of needs in Charmey.
TV report: Rafael Poncioni and Marion Tinguely
Adaptation web: ther
Swiss
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