Swiss government offers subsidies to steelmakers
Steel and aluminium companies in Switzerland are eligible for state aid from the start of this year retroactively until the end of 2028, Kallanish notes.
The companies will benefit from a rebate on electricity grid usage charges. Fees will be reduced by 50% in the first year, 37.5% in the second, 25% in the third and 12.5% in the fourth. The costs for the government amount to some CHF37 million ($42m), according to Swiss public information portal swissinfo.ch.
High electricity costs and grid fees in recent years have been the main cause of concern of the country’s to steelmakers, Swiss Steel and Stahl Gerlafingen, to keep up in international competition. Production cutbacks and job cuts have been an issue at both companies.
National union Syna claims that the government’s offer has been made possible by worker protests over jobs since last autumn. Only in February, workers in one rally urged Swiss Steel to seize the government’s offer. This is not as understood as it appears at first.
The companies must comply with a number of requirements. They will have to submit a plan for the sustained preservation of production sites and jobs, and pledge investments. Swissinfo also notes that, in particular, they are prohibited from paying variable remuneration to members of management and the supervisory board.
Despite the dire state of Switzerland’s steelmakers, the government’s offer has not created major media waves, and might not be welcomed with open arms by the supposed beneficiary companies. Upon request from Kallanish, Swiss Steel confined itself to a brief statement saying: ”We have taken note of the decree, and will carefully examine if we will apply for it.”
Christian Koehl Germany
Soaring energy costs push Siderurgia Nacional to halt production
Portuguese long steel producer Siderurgia Nacional (SN), part of Grupo Megasa, has temporarily halted operations at its Seixal and Maia plants due to surging energy costs, Kallanish reports. The stoppage, initially planned to last until Friday, may be extended further.
“Soaring electricity prices have severely disrupted operations, making it impossible for the Seixal and Maia plants to maintain regular production schedules. Until now, the plants operated only when electricity costs per megawatt-hour were economically viable,” explains Megasa.
The company warns that such drastic production cuts are economically unsustainable for Portugal’s largest energy-intensive industry. SN directly employs 700 people, indirectly supports 3,500 jobs, and contributes €900 million ($947.9 million) in annual exports.
Megasa is investing in renewable energy projects to enhance decarbonisation and cost competitiveness, including the development of a photovoltaic park at the Maia plant. However, similar projects at Seixal remain stalled, pending approvals from local and national authorities. “These are strategic, forward-looking projects essential to the company and the local and national economy,” Megasa states.
The steelmaker also calls for clearer national and European energy regulations, highlighting its competitive disadvantage compared to other European countries, where energy-intensive industries benefit from tailored cost structures. Although Portugal approved legislation in 2022 to support such industries, it remains pending European Commission approval.
“Without swift action, deteriorating conditions could jeopardise the viability of Portugal’s steel industry,” Megasa warns.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
