Power grid

Table of Contents

Is our electricity system adapted to our needs? Why do we export the electricity we generate and import what we consume?

Why export the electricity we produce and import the electricity we consume?
Switzerland exports much of its electricity production for essentially commercial reasons. In doing so, it benefits from the operational flexibility of its hydroelectric storage power plants (dams). These plants can be commissioned very quickly, which makes them essential for coping with fluctuations in Swiss consumption during the day, but also makes it possible to produce and export electricity at times of peak demand and thus at times of high prices.
How can we adapt the current power grid to the energy system of tomorrow?
The Swiss electricity grid needs to be renewed, strengthened, better integrated into the European grid and made into a “smart grid”. This is necessary in order to meet the growth in consumption and trade with other countries and to be able to absorb the increasing production of electricity from renewable sources (green electricity).
How much will it cost to modernise our electricity system, and who will pay?
The cost of modernising our electricity network is estimated at between 20 and 30 billion francs over a period of 20 to 30 years, i.e. around 1 billion francs per year.
What is the smart grid and what will its role be in the future power grid?
The smart grid is a set of technologies, mainly computer-based, that allow the management of the power grid to be optimised, making it more secure, more efficient, more flexible and more economical.
Is renewable energy threatening the profitability of Swiss electric companies?
Over the past 20 years, the Swiss electricity sector has made billions of francs in net profits, thanks to its dams, which have enabled it to produce and sell a lot of “peak” electricity to our neighbouring countries at high prices in times of high demand.
Is it necessary to integrate Switzerland into the european electricity grid?
In practice, complete electricity self-sufficiency is not feasible for a small, landlocked country such as ours. Switzerland’s integration into the European electricity grid and its participation in the “coupled market” of the European Union are two key elements of our energy policy, both for economic reasons and for our security of supply.