Statutory financial statements
Notes
1. Accounting principles
General
The financial statements for Swissgrid Ltd, Aarau, have been prepared in accordance with the Swiss Law on Accounting and Financial Reporting (Title 32 of the Swiss Code of Obligations). The valuation principles applied are described below.
Conversion of foreign currency items
The accounting records are maintained in the local currency (Swiss francs, CHF). All short-term monetary assets and liabilities recognised in foreign currencies are converted at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are converted at the exchange rate on the day the transaction took place. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from transactions in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement and are presented in the same item as the underlying transaction.
Cash flow statement
Cash and cash equivalents form the basis for the presentation of the cash flow statement. The cash flow from operating activities is calculated using the indirect method.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised in the income statement upon performance of Swissgrid’s obligations. For activities regulated under the Electricity Supply Act (StromVG), the measurement of performance is based mainly on energy volumes directly metered on the transmission grid or reported from downstream grid levels. For certain revenue and procurement items, initial billing values are available six weeks after delivery at the earliest, thereby rendering accruals based on historical and statistical data, as well as on estimates necessary for the revenue recognition of these items. The activities defined in the Ordinance on the Establishment of a Hydropower Reserve (WResV) are intermediary transactions in accordance with the accounting regulations, which is why only the value of the services provided by the company itself is reported in the power reserve segment.
Activities according to StromVG / WResV
Volume- and tariff-related timing differences (surpluses and deficits)
According to Art. 14 of the Electricity Supply Act (StromVG), grid usage costs must be allocated to users on a user-pays basis. The tariffs for a financial year are determined based on planned costs. Due to price and volume deviations, actual expenses and income vary from the tariff calculation on both the revenue and procurement side. This results in surpluses or deficits, i.e. the tariff revenues from a financial year are higher or lower than the actual expenses incurred during the same period. These volume- and tariff-related timing differences are transferred to the balance sheet and taken into account in cost and revenue calculations for future tariff periods. The expected reduction in volume- and tariff-related timing differences within twelve months of the balance sheet date is recognised as short-term surpluses or deficits in the balance sheet.
EBIT regulated under StromVG
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) from activities related to the Electricity Supply Act (StromVG) are defined in Article 13 of the Electricity Supply Ordinance (StromVV) and are equivalent to the interest applied to the invested operating assets with the weighted average cost of capital rate (WACC) for the current year under review (= WACCt+0) and the interest applied to the volume and tariff-related timing differences with the weighted average cost of capital rate of WACCt+2 plus income taxes.
Invested operating assets consist of net current assets calculated on a monthly basis as well as the property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as at the end of the financial year. The weighted average cost of capital rate (WACC) is based on the current international practice of the WACC capital cost concept with reference to the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Besides considering the findings of financial market theory, the regulatory framework conditions in Switzerland and the current situation in the money and capital market are also taken into account. The official weighted average cost of capital rates based on this method of calculation are 3.83% for 2022 (WACCt+0) and 4.13% for 2024 (WACCt+2).
EBIT according to WResV
In the power reserve segment, the legally prescribed cost recovery principle results in neutral earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).
Chargeability of operating and capital costs
ElCom has the right to verify ex post the chargeability of Swissgrid’s operating and capital costs for tariff-setting purposes. In case of an ex post cost adjustment, an appeal can be lodged with the Federal Administrative Court with the possibility of appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. A cost adjustment impacting Swissgrid’s operating result is applied whenever no appeal is lodged, or whenever an appeal’s prospects for success are judged to be less than 50% on the basis of a reappraisal, or whenever a legally binding ruling is issued.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recognised at the cost of acquisition or production less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses. Significant spare parts which are likely to be used for a longer period and whose use only takes place in connection with a non-current asset item are recognised in non-current assets and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the relevant asset. Depreciation/amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method on the basis of the estimated useful technical and economic service life.
The service life is determined as follows:
– Lines: 15 to 60 years
– Substations: 10 to 35 years
– Buildings and expansions: 5 to 50 years
– Other property, plant and equipment: 3 to 8 years
– Construction in progress and properties: only applicable in the case of an impairment loss
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are recognised at the cost of acquisition or production less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses. Depreciation/amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method on the basis of the estimated useful technical and economic service life.
The service life is determined as follows:
– Rights of use: contract term
– Software and technical regulations: 3 to 5 years
– Intangible assets under development: only applicable in the case of an impairment loss
The merger losses (goodwill) resulting from the mergers on 3 January 2013 and 5 January 2015 are also recognised in this item. Goodwill is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 20 years and is reviewed annually for impairments.
Impairment losses
The value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets is reviewed annually. If there is an indication of an impairment loss, the book value is reduced to the realisable value and an impairment loss is charged to the results of the period.
Construction in progress/intangible assets under development
Construction in progress and intangible assets under development are non-current assets that are not yet completed or not yet operational. All items of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including self-constructed assets, are classified as non-current assets. As of each balance sheet date, a review is performed to determine whether any construction in progress or intangible assets under development have to be impaired. These are recognised as impairment losses in the year of completion. Ordinary depreciation or amortisation of these assets begins once they are completed or are ready for operation.
Financial assets
Financial assets are measured at acquisition costs less any impairment losses. Employer contribution reserves without conditional renounced use are also recognised in financial assets.
Shareholdings
Shareholdings are measured at acquisition costs less any impairment losses. These include shareholdings with a capital share of over 20%, but which do not have a significant impact on the financial statements, as well as shareholdings with a capital share of less than 20% that do have a significant impact.
Inventory
Inventory includes waste material for maintaining the grid systems. Inventory is measured at the lower of acquisition cost or market price.
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable are reported at their nominal value less any impairment losses required for business reasons.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, cash at banks and deposits at banks maturing in 90 days or less. They are recognised at their nominal value.
Bonds
Bonds issued on the capital market are recognised at their nominal value. Deviations from the nominal value in the case of below- or above-par issues are recognised as accruals and deferrals and are reversed on a straight-line basis over the term of the bond.
Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised at their nominal value.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised if there is an obligation based on an event that took place prior to the balance sheet date, the amount and/or due date of which is uncertain but capable of being estimated.
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are measured as of the balance sheet date. A provision is reported if a cash outflow without a usable countervalue is probable and assessable. Otherwise, contingent liabilities are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Interest on borrowed capital
Interest on borrowed capital is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are calculated based on the taxable results on an accrual basis.
Derivative financial instruments
Swissgrid may use derivative financial instruments to hedge against currency and market price risks. If the conditions are met, Swissgrid will apply hedge accounting to hedge expected future cash flows. The instruments used for this purpose will be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements until the underlying transaction is realised.
2. Estimation uncertainty
Financial-statement reporting requires estimates and assumptions to be made that may have a significant impact on Swissgrid’s financial statements. With respect to assets and liabilities recognised in the balance sheet, accruals and deferrals (prepaid expenses and accrued income/accrued expenses and deferred income) and volume- and tariff-related timing differences in particular are based on various assumptions and estimates that may necessitate significant adjustments. This is due to specific volumes not being available for certain revenue and procurement items when the financial statements are prepared, as well as regulatory uncertainties. The volume- and tariff-related timing differences are also influenced by estimates in the allocation of operating expenses to the segments.
For more information on this, the reader is referred to the comments in the sections on “Revenue recognition” and “Activities according to StromVG” in Note 1, as well as the comments in Note 25.
3. Net turnover and procurement costs
Net turnover
For the 2022 financial year, net turnover across all segments amounts to CHF 987.1 million. This represents an increase of CHF 272.0 million in relation to the previous year’s figure of CHF 715.1 million. The rise is due to higher tariff revenues in the grid usage segment (CHF 115.1 million), higher income from balance group/balancing energy in the general ancillary services segment (CHF 73.6 million) and higher auction income to cover the chargeable costs of the transmission system (CHF 74.6 million). Based on the ElCom ruling issued on 8 November 2022, the auction income received in 2022 was allocated for the first time not only to the grid usage segment, but also to the general ancillary services and active power loss segments.
Procurement costs
At CHF 866.2 million, procurement costs are CHF 448.7 million higher than the previous year’s value of CHF 417.5 million. This increase is primarily due to higher costs of CHF 345.0 million for control power provision and for AS energy in the general ancillary services segment as well as higher procurement costs of CHF 156.7 million for active power loss. The higher costs are mainly attributable to the persistently high electricity prices caused by geopolitical developments and the limited power plant capacities. In contrast, costs in the grid usage and reactive energy segments fell by a total of CHF 47.9 million. In addition to lower costs for national redispatch and costs for the procurement of reactive energy, no additional remuneration was paid to former transmission system owners in 2022.
More detailed comments on the individual segments, including the effects on the volume- and tariff-related timing differences, can be found in Note 4 to the financial statements in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER.
4. Other operating income
| In millions of CHF | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Congestion management clearing | 17.5 | 15.6 |
| Other | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 19.7 | 17.1 |
5. Materials and third-party supplies
| In millions of CHF | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Grid maintenance | 18.3 | 19.1 |
| Grid system control | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Other services in the grid area | 25.8 | 23.7 |
| Expenses for projects, advisory and non-cash benefits | 49.5 | 38.7 |
| Dismantling of grid elements | –4.6 | – |
| Hardware/software maintenance | 14.9 | 12.6 |
| 104.3 | 94.5 |
Other grid-related services include remuneration for easements, including easement management services performed by third parties and operating expenses for mixed-use plants. Due to the consistent implementation of Strategy 2022 measures, the expenses for projects, advisory services and non-cash benefits were higher year on year. The decrease in the dismantling of grid elements item is a consequence of a reassessment of the need for provisions to cover a dismantling obligation.
6. Personnel expenses
| In millions of CHF | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Salaries, bonuses, allowances | 93.7 | 84.9 |
| Employee insurance | 18.6 | 17.2 |
| Other personnel expenses | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| 117.0 | 105.9 |
Other personnel expenses include, in particular, the costs of training and further education, recruitment, lump-sum expenses as well as contributions to external catering for employees.
The average number of full-time equivalents exceeded 250 in the reporting period, as was the case in the previous year.
7. Other operating expenses
| In millions of CHF | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Rental and occupancy costs | 9.2 | 9.4 |
| Ground rents | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Rental costs for communication equipment/telecommunication expense | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| Board of Directors' fees and expenses, incl. social costs | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Actual expenses for travel and subsistence for employees and third parties | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| Fees, dues and licences | 3.7 | 4.1 |
| Insurance | 2.3 | 1.8 |
| Other administrative costs | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| 29.3 | 28.0 |
Board of Directors’ fees and expenses represent fixed gross remuneration including the deduction of any employee contributions to the employee pension plan. The remuneration paid to the Chairman of the Board of Directors amounted to CHF 250,000, including lump-sum expenses (previous year: CHF 250,000). The remaining members of the Board of Directors received remuneration of between CHF 57,500 and CHF 72,700 pro rata temporis for 2022, including lump-sum expenses (previous year: CHF 57,500 to CHF 70,000).
Further information on the members of the Board of Directors can be found in the Corporate Governance Report.
8. Trade receivables
As at 31 December 2022, trade receivables include CHF 63.6 million (previous year: CHF 55.5 million) in relation to companies with a direct or indirect shareholding in Swissgrid.
9. Other receivables
Other receivables include the receivable for the 2022 enforcement costs for handling congestion management amounting to CHF 17.5 million (previous year: CHF 15.6 million).
10. Prepaid expenses and accrued income
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued revenue for supplies made | 108.3 | 57.7 |
| Other | 20.3 | 23.4 |
| 128.6 | 81.1 |
In particular, other prepaid expenses and accrued income include the discount on bond issues and financing and issue costs, which are amortised over the term of the financing instrument.
11. Balance sheet items held on a fiduciary basis
Pursuant to the ElCom ruling issued on 9 February 2021 and the supplement dated 8 November 2022, income from auctions in 2022 amounting to CHF 385.7 million (previous year: CHF 97.1 million) was paid to Swissgrid. At CHF 54.2 million, the balance sheet item is CHF 83.6 million below the previous year’s value of CHF 137.8 million. The decrease is due to the lower level of outstanding trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable as at 31 December 2022.
| Share capital in m. | Share in % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Allocation Office (JAO) | A | 0.100 | 4.0 |
| TSCNET Services GmbH | B | 0.040 | 6.25 |
| Holding des Gestionnaires de Réseau de Transport d’Electricité SAS (HGRT) | C | 52.119 | 5.0 |
| Pronovo AG | D | 0.100 | 100.0 |
| ecmt AG | E | 0.100 | 31.0 |
| Equigy B.V. | F | 0.050 | 20.0 |
Letters used for locations and currencies:
A = Luxembourg (Lux) | Currency EUR
B = Munich (D) | Currency EUR
C = Paris (F) | Currency EUR
D = Frick (CH) | Currency CHF
E = Embrach (CH) | Currency CHF
F = Arnhem (NL) | Currency EUR
Due to changes in ownership, Swissgrid’s share in the Joint Allocation Office (JAO) decreased to 4.0% and its share in TSCNET Services GmbH fell to 6.25%. Swissgrid’s share in ecmt AG increased to 31.0% due to an acquisition of shares. Swissgrid is not legally obliged to prepare consolidated financial statements. Either the control principle necessary to prepare a consolidated financial statement (Art. 963 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO)) is not met, or the subsidiaries do not have a material influence on Swissgrid’s financial statements. In particular, Pronovo AG is regulated by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and is explicitly excluded from any consolidation with Swissgrid based on Art. 64 (5) of the Energy Act (EnG).
As a result of the final remuneration for the grid takeovers that was paid in 2021, the 18 procedural companies were merged into Swissgrid with retroactive effect from 1 January 2022. The assets and liabilities of all the procedural companies were transferred to Swissgrid on the date of the merger.
13. Property, plant and equipment
The book values of the individual categories are as follows:
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Construction in progress | 241.7 | 457.0 |
| Substations | 702.1 | 712.2 |
| Lines | 1,098.4 | 978.5 |
| Properties and buildings | 161.2 | 163.9 |
| Other property, plant and equipment | 6.5 | 8.6 |
| 2,209.9 | 2,320.2 |
14. Intangible assets
The book values of the individual categories are as follows:
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets under development | 9.1 | 14.9 |
| Usage rights | 67.1 | 71.9 |
| Software | 17.7 | 29.9 |
| Merger losses (goodwill) | 179.0 | 196.9 |
| 272.9 | 313.6 |
15. Trade accounts payable
As at 31 December 2022, trade accounts payable include CHF 216.8 million (previous year: CHF 98.8 million) in relation to companies with a direct or indirect shareholding in Swissgrid. No liabilities exist in relation to the external auditor as at 31 December 2022 (previous year: CHF 59,370).
16. Other liabilities
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposits on blocked bank accounts | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Other | – | 1.7 |
| 0.7 | 2.4 |
There were no outstanding obligations towards PKE Vorsorgestiftung Energie as at 31 December 2022 (previous year: CHF 1.4 million).
17. Accrued expenses and deferred income
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued expenses for supplies made | 79.7 | 101.5 |
| Personnel expenses and employee insurance scheme | 12.7 | 10.0 |
| Accrued interest and premium from issued bonds | 12.6 | 15.4 |
| Taxes | 13.4 | 16.7 |
| 118.4 | 143.6 |
18. Financial liabilities
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds | 1,715.0 | 1,540.0 |
| Convertible loans | 72.1 | 326.7 |
| Loans | 200.1 | 0.1 |
| Total financial liabilities | 1,987.2 | 1,866.8 |
| Current portion | 231.1 | 254.6 |
Bonds
| Nominal amount in CHF | Interest rate | Term | Expiration at nominal value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350 million | 1.625% | 2013 – 2025 | 30.01.2025 |
| 150 million | 0.000% | 2021 – 2026 | 30.06.2026 |
| 175 million | 1.100% | 2022 – 2027 | 30.06.2027 |
| 150 million | 0.000% | 2020 – 2028 | 30.06.2028 |
| 150 million | 0.625% | 2015 – 2030 | 25.02.2030 |
| 150 million | 0.200% | 2020 – 2032 | 30.06.2032 |
| 110 million | 0.050% | 2021 – 2033 | 30.06.2033 |
| 125 million | 0.150% | 2020 – 2034 | 30.06.2034 |
| 130 million | 0.125% | 2020 – 2036 | 30.06.2036 |
| 100 million | 0.200% | 2021 – 2040 | 29.06.2040 |
| 125 million | 0.050% | 2019 – 2050 | 30.06.2050 |
Convertible loans and loans
Convertible loans have a term of nine years and one-fifth of the loans become payable annually from year five. Partial repayments of convertible loans amounting to CHF 254.6 million were made in the 2022 financial year. Moreover, loans are also assigned a conversion right by Swissgrid in the event of occurrence of contractually defined events and an associated conversion obligation by the creditors. Creditors are compensated by a premium on the interest rate for the conversion right assigned to Swissgrid. Convertible loans are recognised in full in liabilities.
The interest conditions and maturities of convertible loans and loans are as follows:
Loans and convertible loans
| Position | Interest rate (bandwidth) | Year 1 | Year 2–5 | more than 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convertible loans | 3.36 – 3.93% | 31.10 | 39.20 | 1.80 |
| Loans | 0.00% | 200.00 | – | 0.10 |
Convertible loans and loans are assessed at their nominal value.
As at 31 December 2022, convertible loans of CHF 70.4 million (previous year: CHF 220.9 million) exist towards companies with a direct or indirect shareholding in Swissgrid.
19. Provisions
| In millions of CHF | 31.12.2022 | 31.12.2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Dismantling | 1.5 | 6.1 |
| Procedural costs | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Total provisions | 1.9 | 6.6 |
| Current portion | 0.1 | 0.2 |
Procedural costs
The provision amount includes the estimated compensation payable to parties and the court costs imposed on Swissgrid due to the administrative procedures in conducting proceedings.
21. Intermediary business
The power reserve segment was newly introduced in the reporting year as a result of the entry into force of the Ordinance on the Establishment of a Hydropower Reserve (WResV). This segment handles the orders regulated by the WResV for the use of the hydropower reserve and reserve power plants, pooled emergency power groups and combined heat and power (CHP) plants. It will be financed from tariff revenues. In accordance with the accounting regulations, these activities are intermediary transactions, which is why only the value of the services provided by the company itself is reported in the power reserve segment.
The expenses resulting from the intermediary business for the provision of the hydropower reserve amounted to CHF 54.4 million in the reporting year.
22. Derivative financial instruments
Swissgrid made use of derivative financial instruments to partially hedge against market price risk from future procurement costs for active power losses. The nominal amount of these instruments is EUR 121.3 million (previous year: EUR 36.1 million), with negative replacement values of EUR 5.4 million as at 31 December 2022 (previous year: positive replacement values of EUR 13.4 million).
23. Contingent receivables
Billing method for ancillary services (AS)
ElCom defined the billing method for the AS surcharge in its 4/2018 directive. Under this method, Swissgrid and the distribution system operators wait until the subsequent year to finally settle payments of AS tariffs for the previous financial year.
The settlement will result in receivables owed to Swissgrid by the distribution system operators. However, since the amount of these receivables could not be reliably determined when the financial statements were prepared, they were recognised as contingent receivables.
24. Other off-balance sheet commitments
Joint Allocation Office (JAO)
As a shareholder of the Joint Allocation Office (JAO), Swissgrid is contractually obliged to assume its share of the annual costs.
TSCNET Services GmbH
As a shareholder of TSCNET Services GmbH, Swissgrid is contractually obliged to assume its share of the annual costs.n
Equigy B.V.
As a shareholder of Equigy B.V., Swissgrid is contractually obliged to assume its share of the annual costs.
Off-balance-sheet lease commitments
Swissgrid has the following off-balance-sheet lease commitments for vehicles and office equipment:
Lease commitments
| In millions of CHF | Year 1 | Year 2–5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31.12.2022 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.7 |
| 31.12.2021 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 |
Long-term rental contracts
Long-term rental contracts with fixed terms exist with several parties. These result in the following obligations:
| In millions of CHF | Year 1 | Year 2–10 | More than 10 years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.12.2022 | 5.7 | 35.9 | 60.4 | 102.0 |
| 31.12.2021 | 5.8 | 36.5 | 64.3 | 106.6 |
The long-term rental obligations primarily include the rental commitments for Swissgrid’s head office in Aarau.
25. Legal proceedings
Swissgrid’s legal mandate and business activities expose the company to costs that can be passed on to the lower grid levels and end consumers in the form of tariff revenues if EICom deems the costs to be chargeable. ElCom has the right to verify ex post the chargeability of Swissgrid’s costs for tariff-setting purposes.
At present, ElCom has not initiated any proceedings to examine Swissgrid’s chargeable costs. Swissgrid’s Board of Directors and Executive Board believe that all costs were incurred within the framework of Swissgrid’s legal mandate and should therefore qualify as chargeable. Based on this assessment, Swissgrid has treated all operating and capital costs as chargeable and consequently recognised them in full in the volume- and tariff-related timing differences. If, contrary to Swissgrid’s assessment, the costs claimed are ruled to be non-chargeable, this would be reflected in future.
Third party proceedings
The financial impact of third-party proceedings in which Swissgrid is involved are included in Swissgrid’s financial statements if the Swiss GAAP FER criteria for recognition have been met. However, they have no direct impact on Swissgrid’s results as they are included in the volume- and tariff-related timing differences.
26. Audit fees
In 2022, the fees for audit services amount to CHF 165,000 (previous year: CHF 213,000). No other services were used in the reporting year (previous year: CHF 10,000).
27. Events after the balance sheet date
There are no events after the balance sheet date that would require disclosure or recognition in the 2022 financial statements.
On 19 April 2023, the Board of Directors of Swissgrid Ltd approved the 2022 financial statements for submission to the General Assembly and for publication.