The Principality of Liechtenstein, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and Swissgrid are reviewing different options for relocating the existing line in Balzers. Corridor versions on both the Swiss and Liechtenstein side are being reviewed.
The transmission line in the municipal region of Balzers is part of the existing, roughly 73 kilometre, 220 kilovolt transmission line from the Bonaduz (GR) substation to the Rüthi (SG) and Meiningen (AT) substations. The municipality of Balzers (FL) has indicated that it will not extend the expiring transit agreement. For that reason, investigations are in progress to establish how the existing line through the municipality of Balzers can be relocated. In Switzerland, a sectoral plan procedure, followed by a planning approval procedure, are applied for the construction of new transmission lines.
The Rüthi – Bonaduz extra-high-voltage line ensures the security of supply for the Principality of Liechtenstein via the switching substations in Meiningen and Bürs. The Principality of Liechtenstein's supply region is connected to the Swiss transmission grid via the Montlingen switching substation.
Swissgrid will work together with a Liechtenstein engineering office to develop specific route proposals. In doing so, various corridor options are to be examined in the Principality of Liechtenstein and combined in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. According to Swissgrid, two small-scale options are feasible by August 2021 if the overall process runs optimally:
Schedule in the optimal case (without appeal to the courts):
| 2019 | Detailed elaboration of the feasible options in cooperation with a Liechtenstein engineering office |
| 2020 | Information event for authorities, associations and the general public |
| 2020 | Start of the planning approval procedure |
| 2020 – 2021 | Construction project |
| 2021 | Commissioning of the new line 220 kilovolt line |
| Thereafter | Dismantling of the existing 220 kilovolt line |
The line to be relocated in Balzers is part of the Rüthi – Bonaduz line. The line will be constructed for 380 kilovolts, but will only be operated at 220 kilovolts. A 380 kilovolt Rüthi – Bonaduz connection is no longer contained in the «Strategic Grid 2025», as it is not necessary to ensure the security of supply until 2025. The 220 kilovolt connections are adequate for transporting the energy from the existing power plants.
Every project allows design latitude. When the members of the Project Advisory Council express their opinions candidly, point out options for action and thus make constructive contributions to the discussion, the foundation is laid for applying this design latitude to best effect. In this sense, the Project Advisory Council is a consultative forum in which mutual understanding is promoted and different concerns can be raised directly.
The Project Advisory Council was constituted on 21 November 2014 and will be gradually expanded as soon as the project enters a new phase. The Project Advisory Council will be suspended for the duration of the preliminary project, as the monitoring group established by the authorities will take over the activities. Swissgrid will once again utilise the Project Advisory Council in the construction project in order to promote the exchange of information between the municipalities, associations and those directly affected.
The following persons are members of the Project Advisory Council:
| Municipality of Balzers | Hansjörg Büchel, Head of the Municipality |
| Municipality of Balzers | Dominik Frommelt, Municipal Councillor |
| Municipality of Fläsch | René Pahud, Chairman of the Municipality |
| Balzers Community Association | Silvio Wille |
| Landowner in Balzers | Monika Büchel |
| Landowner in Balzers | Anton Vogt |
| Landowner in Balzers | Arthur Willi |
| Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke | Jürg Tinner |
| Law firm Wolff Gstöhl Bruckschweiger | Dr Peter Wolff, Lawyer |
| Swissgrid | Jan Schenk |
