Positions

Swissgrid maintains active and transparent dialogue with stakeholders from the world of politics. The focus is on issues such as challenges in the European context, security of supply and the energy reform, as well as local grid expansion. The combination of the lack of an electricity agreement, the considerable expansion of renewable energies with volatile production and sluggish grid expansion presents a challenge for the operation of the transmission grid. Open, constructive dialogue with every element of society is crucial if such challenges are to be overcome.

For this reason, Swissgrid holds regular discussions with representatives of the worlds of politics and administration at national, cantonal and communal levels.

Your contacts

Andrea Mäder

Head of Public Affairs
info@swissgrid.ch

Alessandro Cameroni
Alessandro Cameroni

Public Affairs Manager
info@swissgrid.ch

Marie-Claude Debons
Marie-Claude Debons

Public Affairs Manager
info@swissgrid.ch


Position papers

23.3327 Postulate by Emmanuel Amoos, Social Democratic Party

Construction of a 200-kilometre-long direct current line in microtunnels between Bickigen BE and Pallanzeno IT

Swissgrid position paper (in German)

22.3321 Motion by Jürg Grossen, Green Liberal Party

Grid stability at low cost through integration of medium and small participants in the balancing energy market

Swissgrid position paper (in German)


Factsheets

 

Statements on consultation drafts

Statement on the establishment of a hydropower reserve

Against the backdrop of the current geopolitical situation, the lack of an electricity agreement with the EU and the slow approval procedures for the construction of production plants and grid infrastructure, the hydropower reserve is a comprehensible, necessary and feasible measure to ensure security of supply. The Federal Council plans to transfer operational management to the national grid company. Swissgrid accepts this additional, responsible task and will work closely with the authorities and the industry in the interests of security of supply.

In the medium and long term, further measures are needed to effectively counteract shortages of electricity. Swissgrid has developed solutions in association with the authorities and the industry. They include building additional domestic production capacity, accelerating procedures for the necessary expansion of production plants and grid infrastructure, and an electricity agreement with the EU.

Swissgrid is addressing the following points in the consultation process:

  • The Federal Council plans to introduce the hydropower reserve by ordinance so that it will be available as early as next winter. Swissgrid is asking the legislator to create supplementary statutory bases as quickly as possible.
  • The preparation, provision and use of the hydropower reserve will result in costs. According to the draft ordinance, the reserve charges and any remuneration due to the power plant operators for its use will be financed via the Swissgrid tariffs, which will increase accordingly. Swissgrid sees a need to optimise the legal basis for the allowability of costs.
  • Swissgrid also believes that it is necessary to optimise the specifications, agreements and processes for the development and operational management of the hydropower reserve and to reduce the financial risks.
  • Additional contractual agreements with balance groups and power plant operators are required, for the conclusion of which there is only little time available.

Swissgrid acknowledges the Federal Council’s confidence and will do everything in its power to fulfil this demanding mandate in the interests of security of supply. For the hydropower reserve to succeed, it is essential that all players in the Swiss electricity system continue to work together constructively to carry out this task successfully in the short term.


Statement on the Parliamentary initiative «Subordination of the strategic infrastructures of the energy industry under the Lex Koller»

Statement on the parliamentary initiative «Subordination of the strategic infrastructures of the energy industry to the Lex Koller». The parliamentary initiative would like to subject the strategic infrastructures of the energy industry - namely the hydropower plants, the electricity grids and the gas grids - to the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad.

As the national grid company, Swissgrid constantly ensures the non-discriminatory, reliable and efficient operation of the transmission grid. Swissgrid accordingly shares the concern to protect the Swiss electricity grid and the secure supply of electricity. However, we do not consider the present approach of the parliamentary initiative to be suitable for this purpose. Swissgrid is of the opinion that the existing regulations and ownership structures already take full account of the concerns of the parliamentary initiative. Swissgrid rejects the planned revision.


Further statements


  • | Media release

    Statement in response to the Energy Act (EnG): The legal framework must also support the integration of renewable energies into the overall system.

    By revising the Energy Act (EnG), the Federal Council is looking to create more incentives for expanding domestic renewable energies, while also ensuring the long-term security of supply. For this to succeed, the legal framework must also support the integration of renewable energies into the overall system. This requires measures such as consistent optimisation and acceleration of the approval processes for grid projects, innovative solutions for load management, an electricity agreement with the EU, as well as better data exchange.

    Learn more

  • | Media release

    Statement in response to the Electricity Supply Act (StromVG): Swissgrid welcomes the political debate on security of supply

    Prompted by the revision of the Federal Electricity Supply Act (StromVG), the ongoing debate on security of supply in Switzerland is urgently needed. However, Swissgrid questions the recently proposed solution regarding the storage reserve and, in terms of its specific organisation, sees a considerable need to clarify the competences and responsibilities of the individual players. The targeted market liberalisation will have a positive effect on the transmission grid.

    Learn more

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