Visit Swissgrid
Electricity's journey from the producer to the power socket is complex. The electrical energy passes long distances and through various stages before it is finally transformed to the 230 volts used by the consumer.
The transmission grid is the link between production and consumption. Therefore it plays a key role in the supply of electricity. Keeping the transmission system stable, safe and secure takes seamlessly operating infrastructure, continuous management of electricity flows and close cooperation with a wide variety of partners in Switzerland and Europe.
The heart of the transmission system, the Swissgrid grid control room, is located in Aarau. The operators monitor the grid around the clock and ensure that electricity is transported safely, securely and without interruption.
Are you interested in finding out more about the role of Swissgrid in the Swiss electricity supply system? Would you like to take a look over our operator's shoulders? We will be happy to show you our tasks and challenges in the «Meet Swissgrid» series.
Information about «Meet Swissgrid»
- For individuals, Swissgrid offers the «Meet Swissgrid» series of events on the following evenings:
- 25 April 2024
- 25 June 2024 in Prilly
- 25 July 2024
- 26 September 2024
- 28 November 2024
- Duration of event: 6.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
- The event will be held if 15 or more individuals register
- The event is free of charge
- The event in Aarau will be in German, the event in Prilly will be in French
Since Swissgrid operates a critical infrastructure, access to the Swissgrid buildings in Aarau and Prilly involves heightened security requirements. An officially valid form of identification is required to register and visit the facility. Registration for entry to the Swissgrid buildings may take some time.
Niederwil visitor centre
Open and transparent dialogue with the general public, the authorities and business is of the utmost importance to Swissgrid. The visitor centre in Niederwil is an ideal platform for discussing topics relating to the Swiss high-voltage grid and all important aspects of line construction.
Guided tours on issues ranging from the opportunities and challenges of underground cabling and overhead lines to the effects on the environment and innovations in the operation of the high-voltage grid
The 220-kilovolt line between Niederwil and Obfelden is currently a congestion point in the transmission grid. Replacing it with a 380-kilovolt line with a much higher transfer capacity is therefore of great importance for security of supply in Central Switzerland, where the conurbations of Aargau, Zurich and Lucerne are located. In August 2022, after careful consideration, the Federal Council approved a combination of two overhead line sections with a 4.5-kilometre underground cable to cross under the protected Reuss landscape. After weighing up the interests of all the parties involved, the Federal Council was unable to agree to the request received from multiple stakeholders to lay the entire line underground. Swissgrid is developing a construction project and defining the specific line routing on this basis.
On this page you will find content on the topics of grid development, line construction, the Niederwil – Obfelden grid project and, if you have not yet been to our visitor centre, the opportunity to register. We look forward to talking to you.
- All guided tours are free of charge.
- Each tour lasts around 2.5 hours.
- The tour will take place if 5 or more individuals register. The group size is limited to a maximum of 25 people.
Guided tours for groups
Start of the tour at 9.00 a.m. at the earliest, and at 5.00 p.m. at the latest (duration 2.5 hours).
Available dates:
- Wed, 22 May 2024
- Wed, 29 May 2024
- Mon, 17 June 2024
- Wed, 26 June 2024
- Fri, 12 July 2024
- Wed, 17 July 2024
- Mon, 5 August 2024
- Tues, 13 August 2024
- Wed, 11 September 2024
- Thurs, 19 September 2024
- Tues, 15 October 2024
- Mon, 21 October 2024
- Fri, 25 October 2024
- Tues, 12 November 2024
- Fri, 22 November 2024
- Tues, 26 November 2024
- Mon, 2 December 2024
- Tues, 10 December 2024
- Wed, 18 December 2024
Guided tours for individuals
Swissgrid is offering guided tours for individuals from 5.00 – 7.30 p.m. on the following dates:
- Wed, 7 August 2024
- Thurs, 3 October 2024
- Tues, 3 December 2024
