«Our mission»
Electricity keeps the world and our country moving. It creates security, quality of life and prosperity.
We operate the transmission system constantly, reliably, efficiently and without discrimination on behalf of the Swiss economy and electricity industry. We are designing and building the transmission system of the future. In doing so, we take a responsible approach to society and the environment.
Together with our partners in Switzerland and abroad, we use market-based solutions to further develop the energy system.
Safety is the top priority in everything we do.
2027 Strategy
The year 2023 is the starting point for a new, five-year strategy period for Swissgrid. The last ten years have been marked by the takeover of the grids from their former owners and a subsequent development and consolidation phase. This has enabled the company to establish a solid basis from which to start tackling the challenges it faces in a rapidly changing energy system.
The energy system in transition
Following a long period of stability, there has been considerable movement in the electricity industry in the past 20 years. These developments affect grid operators in several ways:
1. Decarbonisation, loss of power plants with guaranteed power
Pressure to accelerate the transformation of the energy system and decarbonisation has increased more and more due to Switzerland’s newly formulated 2030 climate targets within the framework of the «European Green Deal». According to the Confederation’s Energy Strategy 2050, the share of nuclear energy with guaranteed power (constant energy) will also be reduced in the future.
2. Expansion of electricity generation from renewable energy resources
The more rapid expansion of renewable energy is leading to significant changes in production patterns and volatile electricity flows. This poses great challenges for power system control, which means that sufficient reserve power and higher automation are needed to ensure grid stability.
3. Volatile energy policy framework and regulatory environment
The energy policies of the EU and Switzerland are once again under scrutiny. In particular, the direction that will be taken by energy and electricity market regulation in Switzerland is not yet foreseeable. As a result, grid operators have to assume new tasks at very short notice.
4. Sluggish expansion of the grids
The restructuring of the energy and electricity system requires modernisation of the grid. Lengthy approval and authorisation procedures for grid projects continue to slow down the urgently needed adaptation of the grid infrastructure to the new framework conditions.
5. Increasing exclusion from EU bodies as well as grid and market mechanisms
The lack of an electricity agreement between Switzerland and the EU is increasingly leading to exclusion from EU bodies as well as important grid and market mechanisms. This results in a greater risk of more unplanned electricity flows, a lack of consideration in security-relevant system processes and a reduction in import capacities.
6. Risks due to global developments such as climate change, pandemics and cybercrime
Threats such as the consequences of climate change for the grid infrastructure, pandemics or cybercrime make it clear that operators of critical infrastructures must have an exceptionally high level of protection and readiness. The demands placed on the resilience of these companies and on their security arrangements, emergency response measures, Business Continuity Management and crisis management remain high.
7. Strong growth of decentralised, flexible resources via electrification
The many decentralised resources in the energy system represent not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for grid operators. The electrification of consumption and the decentralisation of electricity generation create additional flexibility for the energy system.
8. Major opportunities thanks to digitalisation and automation
Digitalisation offers a response to the increasing complexity of the grid operators’ environment. End-to-end digital processing of the value chain opens up opportunities within the company: this enables digital solutions to be used to achieve efficiency gains, for instance in the expansion and maintenance of the grid. In addition, digitalisation makes it possible to automate more and more internal processes.
Five priorities of Strategy 2027
Swissgrid has defined five closely interrelated priorities for its Strategy 2027. Four of these were taken over from the previous strategy period and have been adapted to the current and future framework conditions. A new focus on «Innovation and Digitalisation» has also been added.
Security of Supply
The new strategy focuses on «Security of Supply». Measures are being taken to ensure grid-related security of supply in the long term, regardless of the degree of integration into the European processes of the EU, while at the same time supporting the Confederation’s energy strategy.
Grid Transfer Capacity
«Grid Transfer Capacity» is equally important. Its aim is to increase the capacity of the grid in line with demand and to construct and operate the grid even more efficiently in the future.
Innovation and Digitalisation
A comprehensive package of measures with a focus on innovation and digitalisation lays the necessary foundations for implementing the desired digital transformation with regard to data, technology, personnel and culture.
Operational Excellence
In order to successfully implement Strategy 2027, the culture and skills within the company must keep pace with future requirements and continue to be developed. These areas of action are addressed by «Operational Excellence» in parallel to the sustainable development of the company.
Safety & Security
Safety is a top priority for Swissgrid, given its responsibility for one of Switzerland’s critical infrastructures. Its further development can only succeed if risks and dangers relevant to the company are recognised and reduced at an early stage. The «Safety & Security» priority strives to ensure a high level of resilience and comprehensive protection of all Swissgrid resources.
A more detailed description of the priorities of Swissgrid’s Strategy 2027 can be found in the Annual Report 2022.