| Media release
- Progress in modernising the grid infrastructure
- Launch of Strategic Grid 2040 implementation
- Swissgrid is tackling the transformation of the electricity system with innovative solutions
Net income amounted to CHF 45 million in the first half of 2025 (2024: CHF 54.6 million). Due to the further planned reduction in deficits and the decrease in financial liabilities, the balance sheet total came to CHF 3.4 billion (2024: CHF 3.8 billion), and the equity ratio rose to 42.1% (2024: 37.6%).
In the first half of 2025, Swissgrid invested a total of CHF 138.8 million (2024: CHF 149.5 million) in modernising the grid infrastructure and guaranteeing grid-related security of supply. At CHF 300.2 million, procurement costs in the first half of the year were 13.9% lower than in the previous year (2024: CHF 348.7 million) thanks to a more relaxed situation on the energy markets. Swissgrid maintained its strategy, placing emphasis on grid-related security of supply, the expansion and modernisation of the transmission system, maintenance and safety. As a result, operating expenses increased to CHF 162.2 million (2024: CHF 145.4 million).
The transformation of the electricity system, driven by decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation, poses challenges for grid operations. Swissgrid is building the grid of the future, modernising infrastructure and launching innovative solutions.
Progress in expanding and modernising the transmission system
Swissgrid started construction of the second section of the new 220 kV line between Obfelden and Samstagern in the first half of 2025. A new transformer was installed in the Bonaduz substation to strengthen security of supply in the canton of Graubünden. Work on the 380 kV line between Mörel and Ernen will be almost fully completed this year. For reasons of grid security and economic efficiency, Swissgrid generally favours the installation of overhead lines, but the cable in the Gotthard tunnel is a good example of sensible bundling of infrastructure construction. Swissgrid has received the necessary planning approval.
Swissgrid updated its long-term grid planning and published the «Strategic Grid 2040» in April 2025 to ensure that the transmission system meets future requirements. Swissgrid has identified 31 grid projects that must be implemented by 2040 and added to the current grid to form the «grid of the future». Lengthy approval processes are currently delaying the timely renovation of the transmission system. However, the grid urgently need to keep pace with the expansion of renewable energy. That is why Swissgrid supports the Federal Council’s «Grid express» proposal.
Innovative solutions and cross-border cooperation
In association with seven European transmission system operators, Swissgrid has founded the «Innovation Alliance» to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the grids via cross-border innovation. The first priority of the «Innovation Alliance» is to address the effects of weather events and climate change on the grid infrastructure.
Swissgrid is now using its in-house «Optimiser Control Energy» tool to operate the Swiss transmission grid. This is based on artificial intelligence and optimises the procurement mix of control energy products to stabilise the grid.
Inaccurate production data from photovoltaic plants remains a challenge. In the first half of 2025, this again led to deviations between the schedules (target data) of the balance groups connected to the transmission system and the effective feed-in (actual data). The further expansion of photovoltaic plants will make stable grid operations even more difficult. Swissgrid is working on innovative solutions with the industry. The successful pilot launch of «PV4Balancing», a system that uses photovoltaic plants to ensure grid stability, is an important step forward. Swissgrid will introduce a new price mechanism for balancing energy in 2026 to reduce the need for control energy and strengthen grid stability.
Switzerland needs the electricity agreement
The electricity agreement with the EU is a crucial factor for ensuring a successful transformation of the electricity system, for maintaining a secure and efficient supply of electricity and therefore ultimately for protecting Switzerland as a strong business location. It will give Swissgrid access to the European control energy platforms, which are more liquid than Switzerland’s own market. It will also give electricity industry players access to the EU’s coupled power markets (day-ahead and intraday). On the intraday market, balance groups can even out their own imbalances at short notice by buying or selling electricity so that Swissgrid has to use less control energy. Following the introduction of the electricity agreement, the Swiss grid will be taken into account in capacity calculations, and cross-border capacities for imports and exports will be protected under international law.