In the event of a severe energy crisis, the domestic raw material wood can be used to partially compensate for the fuel shortage, especially for supplying heat. Wood meets around five percent of Switzerland’s energy requirements.
Because timber can be stored for a long time, existing stocks could meet the normal requirements over two winters if demand remains constant. However, if demand increases sharply, additional lumber might have to be made available in time for a second winter of fuel shortages. In an acute energy crisis, it has to be assumed that the demand for wood will increase sharply, which may lead to a supply shortage. In such a situation, in view of the considerable potential of the available forest, increasing lumber production is an effective measure to mitigate an energy supply crisis.
