The Swiss transmission grid has to be renewed and expanded in order to cope successfully with future energy policy challenges. With today's lengthy approval processes, the transmission grid cannot be renewed in time. The political sphere has also recognised this fact. In the autumn of 2011, first the National Council and then the Council of States passed the motions on «Streamlining the processes for the implementation of the defined projects for high-voltage lines by 2020» and «Simplified approval processes for electricity grids». The aim is to speed up the approval processes.
From the planning to the completion of a line, a project has to pass through the implementation planning process for transmission lines and planning approval processes. However, the project may also be an issue dealt with by the Federal Administrative Court or even the Federal Supreme Court.
On average, 9 to 12 years pass before a line construction project can be realised. However, if all procedural options are exercised it may take even longer, in some cases even up to 30 years.
- The present and future requirements on the transmission grid have become more diverse. More than two thirds of the grid are over 40 years old and can no longer cope with these requirements.
- The grid has to be aligned with future energy consumption, the forecast energy mix and consumption and also with the fluctuating feed-in of renewable energy sources.
- Even if small construction measures on existing power lines are needed, a planning approval process has to be carried out. Objections filed often delay the process.
- Disadvantages to Switzerland's security of supply and national economy will arise if the necessary grid expansion projects are not carried out.
Statutory measures
- Elimination of an appeal authority: It will no longer be possible to challenge the planning approval decision before the Federal Administrative Court. Such actions will be brought immediately before the Federal Supreme Court.
- Adherence to deadlines: Maximum periods for the SÜL process and the planning approval process will be introduced. These will not exceed 1 and 2 years respectively.
- Introduction of public agency preclusion: An addition will be made to the public agency deadlines to the effect that if comments are not received within a set deadline a certain legal effect will come into force (public agency preclusion).
- Improvement of the legal effects of decisions: Administrative offices will be bound by Department decisions. A number of additional measures will be implemented within the revision of the spatial planning law.
Organisational measures
- More staff to handle the processes: The human resources in the responsible Federal offices are to be increased.
- Clear procedure: A planning process with clearly defined phases and roles will be drawn up.
- Clear specifications: Clear instructions, process manuals, evaluation schemes for applicants and public agencies will be developed – for example, to weigh up overhead versus underground lines or private versus public interests.
- Mapping of process status: An Internet platform should be set up to increase the transparency of processes.
- Systematic checking of the implementation plan for transmission lines (SÜL check): The SÜL check will examine whether a SÜL process needs to be conducted for a specific project.
Swissgrid will take over the grid from its current owners – the energy companies – by the end of 2012 at the latest. From this point in time onwards, Swissgrid will be responsible for providing Switzerland with a modern grid capable of meeting today's requirements in relation to transport capacity and intelligence. To put this in place, the existing transmission grid has to be renewed and expanded. Initial important and urgent expansion work is needed by 2020. Faster approval processes are required so that these can be undertaken in time.