Overview

The project, part of Swissgrid’s Strategic Grid 2025, will establish a double connection at 220 kV over a length of approx. 66 km between All’Acqua and Magadino through the Maggia Valley, replacing the current line, which is now old and undersized. The project emerged from a joint study carried out by the Canton of Ticino, Swissgrid, AET and FFS.

Once the new power line has been built and the other projects in the region have been completed, it will be possible to remove more than 70 km of power lines, which will lessen the impact on valuable landscapes. Not only will this benefit the valuable area of Upper Ticino, but it will also increase the transport capacities of the grid at the same time and improve the transportation of energy produced in Vallemaggia, which is currently restricted.

At its meeting on 20 December 2024, the Federal Council defined the geographical area for planning the new lines and chose which technology to use (overhead line or underground cable).

The result of cooperation with authorities and infrastructure managers

The project came about as part of the «Studio Generale», a working group that Swissgrid participated in with local partners to find a coordinated solution for power lines and regional planning. See our blog «Power lines and regional planning go hand in hand in Ticino» for more information.

Working together in this way ensures better coordination of planning phases and optimal use of synergies. The Federal Council now intends to implement this model throughout Switzerland in order to speed up approval processes. See our blog «Preparing the grid for the energy transition» for more information.

Ensuring a secure energy supply

The current power lines, built in the 1960s, are undersized and nearing the end of their life cycle. At certain times of the year, the hydroelectric plants in the Maggia Valley have to limit production by almost one third due to insufficient capacity on the transmission lines. Given the current energy situation, restricting renewable energy production in this way is no longer sustainable in the long term. The new power line, consisting of a double connection at 220 kV, solves capacity problems and will help to ensure a secure supply of electricity for Switzerland and Ticino in the future.

Benefits for the landscape and nature

Once the new power line has been built and the other projects in the region have been completed, it will be possible to remove more than 70 km of power lines, which will lessen the impact on valuable landscapes. Improvements are planned in the Bedretto Valley, on the Cristallina pass and in the Alpe Zaria and Campolungo areas, both of which are included in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments. Bypassing the beech forests in the Lodano Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another benefit of the redevelopment project.

Thanks to the current project, it will be possible to remove more than 70 kilometres of overhead lines, which will lessen the impact on the landscape and on residential areas.

Benefits for residents too

The impact on neighbouring villages will also be reduced given that electricity will be transported via underground cables between Cavergno and Lodano and on the slope near Riazzino, whilst pylons will no longer cross the plain between Lodano and Avegno, but will be moved to the right side of the valley. The construction of a new underground tunnel will allow the line that currently runs through the Lavizzara Valley to be dismantled. Swissgrid's future project boasts a total of more than 30 kilometres of underground lines from the All'Acqua substation to the Magadino substation. This is a record on a national scale and represents an important redevelopment for our entire Alpine region.

Next steps

At its meeting on 20 December 2024, the Federal Council defined the geographical area for planning the new lines and chose which technology to use (overhead line or underground cable).

The executive followed the proposal drawn up during the Transmission Lines sectoral plan (PSE) procedure by the support group consisting of cantonal and federal authorities and environmental organisations, which was the result of a careful evaluation of the interests at stake.

The Federal Council’s decision is binding for Swissgrid, which will now define the route of the new lines and acquire the necessary easements. Once the planning stage is complete, the project will be submitted to ESTI for approval. Swissgrid will then be able to organise and contract the work, which is scheduled to start in 2031 at the earliest.

Dialogue with authorities, associations and the population is crucial for Swissgrid. During the planning stage, Swissgrid will set up an advisory commission made up of cantonal and municipal authorities, environmental associations and Swissgrid representatives as it determines the route of the new lines.