Security of supply
A secure electricity supply is vitally important to the economy. ElCom has been assigned statutory responsibility for monitoring the development of the electricity markets to ensure secure and affordable supply in all parts of Switzerland. If a significant risk to Switzerland’s security of supply emerges in the medium or long-term, ElCom must propose suitable measures to the Federal Council to ensure secure electricity supply is maintained.
Monitoring security of supply
ElCom uses various instruments to monitor security of supply.
Reserves
To avoid an electricity shortage in winter, the Federal Council decided to construct a reserve power plant in Birr, canton of Aargau, provide additional reserve power plants in Cornaux and Monthey, and set up emergency generators for complementary reserves. A hydropower reserve was also created. These measures have been in place since winter 2022–23 and the reserves have not been drawn upon so far. The use of and relationship between the reserves are governed by a directive issued by ElCom. This takes account of environmental law, economic and technical/feasibility factors.
Quality of supply
A high level of availability on the distribution network is a key factor in ensuring high quality of electricity supply. ElCom produces standard international measurements of the quality of supply each year to assess network availability: System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). SAIDI quantifies the average duration of interruptions per end user, while SAIFI indicates the average frequency of interruptions per end user. Figures concerning all unscheduled interruptions lasting longer than three minutes and that occur as the result of natural phenomena, human error, operational problems or external influences are factored into the calculations for both indices.
Cybersecurity
As the level of digitalisation progresses, electricity networks are increasingly being controlled and monitored using smart information and communications technology. This increases the risk of the availability, integrity and confidentiality of data being compromised. In extreme cases, cyberattacks can result in extensive power outages and serious consequential damage. This means cybersecurity is now a crucial factor in ensuring secure electricity supply.
Platforms and bodies
With over 41 cross-border power lines, Switzerland is heavily integrated into the European grid. This means close coordination with neighbouring countries is essential. ElCom supports Swiss participation on the relevant platforms as it believes non-participation would present considerable risks to secure network operation. In specific terms, such risks may include the occurrence of unscheduled and unannounced large electricity flows via the Swiss network at very short notice, causing congestion and outages. Such situations could jeopardise the system security of the entire region surrounding Switzerland.