Adrian Bult, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Yves Zumwald, CEO
Dear readers,
Swissgrid’s key responsibility is to ensure the secure and stable operation of the transmission system. We were able to guarantee availability of over 99.9 percent in 2024. However, as already specified in our Strategy 2027, the challenges we face are increasing as the transformation of the electricity system progresses.
In the reporting year, transnational electricity trade in Europe led to more transit, which put a strain on our grid infrastructure. We were increasingly forced to reduce the capacity available at the national borders in order to keep the Swiss grid stable. However, Swissgrid was also repeatedly confronted with major imbalances within Switzerland. The capacities for electricity generation from photovoltaics are now so high that deviations between the forecasts provided by energy producers and their production in real time are having an impact on system frequency. Swissgrid had to request large volumes of control energy at short notice several times during the reporting year in order to keep the grid stable. The relevant costs will be borne by electricity consumers.
Swissgrid is rising to meet these challenges in close cooperation with its partners in the sector and with innovative solutions. In the «PV-Forecasting» project, for example, Swissgrid prepares forecasts on photovoltaic production several times a day with a high regional and temporal resolution. These forecasts allow any imbalances in the balance groups to be analysed and countermeasures to be defined.
Swissgrid has reached important milestones with its grid infrastructure. We were able to commission a new transformer in the Mettlen substation, while work began at the Lachmatt substation to modernise the 380 kV switchgear and add a coupling transformer. A major step forwards was taken on the Mörel – Ulrichen grid project thanks to the installation of the conductors between Mörel-Filet and Ernen. Swissgrid has also finalised the technical report on the «Strategic Grid 2040» and submitted it to ElCom for review. The transmission grid is the key to a sustainable energy future. However, rapid modernisation is jeopardised by lengthy approval procedures. We therefore welcome the Federal Council’s efforts to speed up the procedures with the «Grid express» proposal.
The conclusion of negotiations with the transmission system operators in the «Core» capacity calculation region and the approval of the methodology by the relevant regulatory authorities represented another success. Although this alleviates the situation regarding unplanned load flows on the northern border, it is no substitute for an electricity agreement between Switzerland and the EU. Swissgrid therefore welcomes the successful conclusion of negotiations in this regard.
In the spring of 2024, Swissgrid presented its first integrated Annual and Sustainability Report, improving its rating as a result. We are delighted by this achievement, which motivates us to continue our advances in this area. The topic of sustainability is also firmly established in Strategy 2027. Climate targets are a key part of this strategy. Our defined CO2 reduction path involves reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and by 90 percent by 2040. Negative emission technologies will also be used.
We continue to face a variety of challenges. Swissgrid has prepared itself accordingly to enable the company to rise to meet these challenges successfully in the future. 