General study on the extra-high-voltage grid in Ticino
In November 2013, the Canton of Ticino, Swissgrid, Azienda elettrica ticinese (AET) and the Swiss Federal Railways (FFS) jointly carried out a «General study on the extra-high-voltage grid in Ticino» in coordination with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). From this study, a solution was found which, on the one hand, facilitates an increase in the capacity to transport energy produced in Vallemaggia and, on the other, relieves the area of existing lines that are no longer necessary.
The study took into consideration 70 different variations. The evaluation was carried out in various stages that saw the gradual reduction of the plausible variations. The evaluation work was done together with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and some other federal offices and associations working to protect the environment and plan the area. As a result, the variation referred to as «Leventina + 14» was chosen
This study aims to identify a general and sustainable approach to the transmission lines, which aligns the objectives for the redevelopment and modernisation of transmission lines with those of area planning. In an initial phase, the study examined the area designated as the «Upper Ticino – Western Part» section and the Vallemaggia and Locarnese up to Magadino, Valle Bedretto and Alta Leventina up to Lavorgo. Stage 2 has been underway since 2017 and takes into consideration the Riviera, Valle di Blenio and the Magadino Plain. The second stage is due to finish in 2022.