| Media release
- Swissgrid’s tariffs will go down again next year
- The costs for the federal power reserve will increase
- In 2026, Swissgrid will have to charge additional costs not incurred by the company itself
The Swiss electricity system is undergoing the biggest transformation in its history. The grid has to keep pace with the expansion of renewable energies. Swissgrid uses the tariffs for the transmission system to finance the secure operation and expansion of the extra-high-voltage grid, which is available more than 99.9 percent of the time. This allows Swissgrid to make an important contribution to safeguarding the supply of electricity in Switzerland and is a success factor for the Swiss economy and social welfare. Swissgrid consistently endeavours to apply the lowest possible tariffs.
Electricity consumers will pay less for Swissgrid’s services in 2026. An average four-person household (consumption of 4,500 kWh per year) can expect to pay around CHF 64 (2025: CHF 77), which corresponds to around 5 percent of the household’s total expected electricity costs. For companies with an annual consumption of 90,000 kilowatt-hours, this results in costs totalling CHF 1,286 (2025: CHF 1,540)..
Restructuring of the tariff for grid usage
The tariff for grid usage has been restructured and now only consists of the working tariff (measured end-user energy consumption) and the power tariff (average value of the monthly power peaks). The previous basic tariff (fixed rate per connection point) will no longer apply. Swissgrid is thereby implementing a legal requirement and creating incentives to reduce power peaks. At the same time, the aim is to prevent a reduction in the number of connection points for cost reasons. As a result of the new structure, the individual sub-tariffs for grid usage are no longer comparable with previous years. Overall, the costs for grid usage are slightly higher than the previous year’s level, mainly due to the significant increase in costs for congestion management (redispatching). The adjustment of the WACC calculation methodology by the Federal Council has a slight tariff-reducing effect.
Lower tariffs for most ancillary services
The tariffs for general ancillary services and for active power losses will fall for 2026. These costs are heavily dependent on the prices on the relevant electricity markets. Swissgrid will charge 0.27 cents per kilowatt-hour for general ancillary services next year (2025: 0.55 cents) and 0.20 cents per kilowatt-hour for active power losses (2025: 0.35 cents). There will be a slight increase in tariffs in the area of voltage maintenance (reactive energy). Swissgrid will now charge 1.81 cents per kilovar-hour (2025: 1.60 cents).
Costs for the power reserve, grid enhancements and temporary state aid for the steel and aluminium industry
In accordance with the legal requirements, Swissgrid will continue to charge the costs for the federal power reserve (hydropower reserve, reserve power plants and emergency power groups). Swissgrid recognises these costs, which are not incurred by Swissgrid itself, in a separate «power reserve» tariff, which will amount to 0.41 cents per kilowatt-hour for 2026 (2025: 0.23 cents). This means that an average four-person household will pay around CHF 18 per year for the power reserve (2025: CHF 11). The main reason for the increase is a decline in measured electricity consumption. Consequently, the costs have to be spread over a lower number of kilowatt-hours consumed. Swissgrid assumes that this trend will continue next year.
For 2026, Swissgrid will also levy a new tariff, the «Surcharge for solidarised costs via the transmission system», which will be used to offset additional costs not incurred by Swissgrid itself. In specific terms, this tariff will cover the costs of grid enhancements in the lower grid levels, which must also be collected by Swissgrid from 2025 in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act. The tariff also includes the temporary state aid for the steel and aluminium industry decided on by the Swiss Parliament. This new tariff amounts to 0.05 cents per kilowatt-hour and will cost an average four-person household a total of around CHF 2 per year.