Network expansion and investment

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Investment

Investment in maintaining and upgrading the existing electricity grids is important to ensure a high level of operational performance and network security in the long term. Investment in the upgrading and expansion of the electricity network also ensures it is well equipped to meet future challenges, such as rising demand for power and increasing levels of renewable energy being fed in locally.

ElCom monitors the condition of the networks and investments as part of its supervisory activities. Swissgrid and the distribution system operators have invested around CHF 1.6 billion in the electricity network per year on average over the past five years.

Network planning: Set of scenarios and multi-year planning

In accordance with Article 9a ESA, the SFOE produces a set of scenarios as a basis for the planning of the transmission and distribution networks. The federal government’s energy policy objectives, macroeconomic data and the international environment must be taken into account.

Article 9d ESA states that network operators must draw up a ten-year development plan (multi-year plan) for their networks with a nominal voltage of over 36kV based on the scenarios and in line with the additional requirements for their network area. The planned projects are set out in the multi-year plan. This must demonstrate how effective and appropriate they are from a financial and technical perspective.

Swissgrid, the national grid operator, submitted its multi-year plan – which is produced on the basis of the ‘set of scenarios for 2030–40’ approved by the Federal Council – to EICom for assessment in summer 2024. This multi-year plan is in line with Swissgrid’s ‘Strategic Network 2040’.