«Grid express»

Preparing the grid for the energy transition

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.

Your contact

Would you be interested in further information, a presentation, an interview partner or background material on the «Grid express»? Get in touch with us!

Noël Graber

Head of External Communication
info@swissgrid.ch

The energy future needs a strong grid. The grid must keep pace with the expansion of renewable energies. This requires streamlined approval processes for grid infrastructure projects. The «Grid express» (amendment to the Energy Act to speed up the expansion and modernisation of the grids) is an important first step in this direction. Swissgrid supports the bill, which is currently being examined by committees and the Swiss parliament. So that we can continue to deliver electricity where it is needed in the future.

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. Here are the most important points from our point of view:

More economical, secure overhead lines as a matter of principle

Faster implementation if underground cable options are only evaluated in exceptional cases.
Overhead lines are up to 10 times more economical than underground cables.
Overhead lines last around 80 years, while the service life of underground cables is only half as long.
Repairs to underground cables take much longer and are more complex and costly.
An excessive proportion of underground cables jeopardises grid stability and security of supply.
Underground cables have a much poorer ecological balance due to material, production and losses.

Find out more in our blog: «Five reasons why extra-high-voltage lines belong on pylons»

Grid express: The overhead line principle

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».