A YES vote in favour of the Electricity Act will further accelerate the expansion of renewable resources. However, renewable electricity generation alone is not enough – the grid must grow at the same rate in order to transport the electricity from the new production plants safely and efficiently to where it is needed.
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Given the current approval processes, grid expansion is falling behind schedule compared to the expansion of power plants. Having recognised this, the Federal Council initiated a consultation process on the «Grid express» proposal in summer/autumn 2024. The proposal is intended to create the necessary framework to prevent the grid from becoming a bottleneck in the energy transition. With rapid modernisation and well-thought-out expansion, the electricity system will remain stable, secure and affordable. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the Swiss Parliament in the spring of 2025. Swissgrid is firmly behind the «Grid express» proposal. Here are the most important points from our point of view:
Faster procedures for line replacement
- A large part of the grid infrastructure is urgently in need of modernisation.
- Today’s procedures mean that this is hardly feasible within a reasonable period of time.
- Dispensing with the sectoral plan procedure for line replacement projects would accelerate renovation work by up to four years.
36 years is too long for a power line. Find out more in our blog post: «'Grid express': to prevent the grid from becoming a bottleneck in the energy transition».
Grid infrastructure should always take precedence over other national interests
- The grid will be given the priority it deserves.
- Electricity generation and power transmission must be treated equally.
Regional coordination – faster procedures by optimising regional planning
- Fewer line routes thanks to regional coordination.
- Coordinated planning saves time and space and simplifies the approval process.
The Canton of Ticino shows how it can be done with the «Studio Generale» working group (Swissgrid, SBB, AET and the Canton of Ticino).
More economical, secure overhead lines as a matter of principle
During the consultation process, the overhead line principle was also discussed in addition to the points mentioned above. According to this principle, new lines should generally be planned as overhead lines and only as underground cables in well-justified exceptional cases. This principle was removed following the consultation for parliamentary deliberation. Swissgrid regrets this for several reasons.
- Underground cables are up to ten times more expensive – we all pay for them.
- An excessive proportion of underground cables leads to major problems in the transmission grid. Read more on the blog: «When physics sets limits to technology».
- Overhead lines are reliable, resilient and safe.
