| Media release
Swissgrid is implementing its Strategy 2022 as communicated in spring and continuing to develop as an organisation. This includes organisational adjustments with effect from 1 January 2019 to achieve further improvements in efficiency and professionalization of the company. Maurice Dierick, previously Head of Grid, will take over the Market business unit, which will be responsible for all of the market and system operation in future.
Through the Strategy 2022, Swissgrid has created the basis for further consolidating its position as the backbone for security of supply in Switzerland. In the four focus areas «Safety for people, systems and the environment», «Integrated plant and system operations», «Intelligent use of new technologies» and «Close cooperation with partners in Switzerland and Europe», Swissgrid will implement measures to achieve the long-term corporate objectives by 2022. The further development of the organisation as of 1 January 2019 is associated with this, particularly in the areas of system operation, asset management, and development and digitalisation. These adjustments will enable further improvements in the organisation's efficiency and professionalisation. The Swiss transmission grid operator thereby acknowledges and is acting on its responsibility to secure energy supply in the context of the challenges of the Energy Strategy 2050.
Integrated system operation in the Market business unit
Market and grid operation are now combined in the Market business unit. This will make management of the interfaces between system management and market operation more secure and efficient. As a result of the future organisation and distribution of tasks in the Market business unit, compatibility with the grid access conditions – harmonised across Europe for the cross-border exchange of electricity («network codes») – will also be guaranteed. Maurice Dierick, who was previously responsible for the Grid business unit on the Executive Board, will now take charge of the Market business unit.
Asset management in the Grid Infrastructure business unit
The Grid business unit will focus exclusively on asset management and will be renamed Grid Infrastructure. To overcome the challenges in realising the Strategic Grid 2025 and the necessary renovation work on the transmission grid, manpower will be increased with respect to both the modification and expansion of the grid as well as maintenance. Swissgrid will thus take on additional tasks in the areas of local site supervision, planning and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE). In the field of switching and control technology (substation automation systems, SAS), Swissgrid will take on the direct management of all services and execute core services itself. Until a new Head of Grid Infrastructure is appointed, Maurice Dierick will lead the unit on an interim basis.
New research & digitalisation team
Swissgrid uses applied research and development to ensure that tasks can continue to be fulfilled reliably and cost-effectively in future. To ensure developments in line with the Strategy 2022, in particular in the areas of automation and digitalisation, the research and development tasks that were previously the responsibility of the business units will be consolidated in one research & digitalisation team. The team will report directly to the CEO and will support innovation projects from the initial idea through to integration in system operation.