They are statements that can make you fearful. “In addition to the pandemic, a power shortage is the greatest threat to the supply of Switzerland,” says Economy Minister Guy Parmelin (61). And the “NZZ”, otherwise known for sobriety, ran the headline days ago: “Switzerland is threatened with power failures lasting days.”
There is no reason to panic. A lot has to go wrong at the same time for longer blackouts to actually occur in Switzerland. But one thing is clear: It is no longer a matter of course that enough electricity is available everywhere and at all times.
There are two reasons. First, Switzerland is threatened with exclusion from the European electricity market. Second, the expansion of renewable energies is stalling.
The first problem could become acute from 2025. Then the so-called 70 percent rule will come into force in the EU, which requires EU members to keep seven tenths of the cross-border network capacity free for electricity trading with other EU countries. Especially in winter, when Switzerland is dependent on electricity imports, we are threatened with bottlenecks.
An electricity deal with the EU could avert this risk. However, Brussels is ruling it out as long as there is no framework agreement – and the Federal Council recently rejected it.
Energy companies fall into despair
The chances of heated winter months still remain intact. Swissgrid, the Swiss transmission system operator, is currently negotiating with its European colleagues on “technical, private-law agreements” to ensure the security of supply in Switzerland beyond 2025.
At the second sticking point, the expansion of renewables, we cannot hope for a “lucky punch”. Diligent work is required: In order to fill the impending supply gap, additional production capacities must be built up piece by piece, plant by plant. This results from the abandonment of atomic energy, which the people sealed in 2017, and the increasing demand for electricity – keyword electromobility.
The energy companies are behind this strategy. During the implementation, however, they get desperate because the projects are subject to objections from environmental associations and local residents.
Wind energy is hardest hit: from Thundorf TG via Lindenberg AG / LU and Grenchenberg SO / BE to the wind farm in Montagne de Buttes NE – the initiators are feeling strong headwinds everywhere.
The Suisse Eole association has 76 plants whose construction is currently delayed due to appeals. All in all, it is about an annual production expectation of 469 gigawatt hours (GWh) – this could supply around 130,000 households with electricity.
Hard headwind
The water management association has no precise figures about blocked projects. However, managing director Andreas Stettler emphasizes that especially during the phase of the feed-in tariff system, many small and medium-sized power plants were blocked: “Some of them could be implemented in favor of the power plant following federal court rulings. Others, however, have been dropped because the chances of success were small or a scaled-down form of the project was no longer economical. “
The best known case concerns the elevation of the dam wall on the Grimsel. It was sent back to “go” by the federal court in November 2020 because of a procedural error. The planned dam on the Trift Glacier in the Bernese Oberland is also on hold for an indefinite period. Both projects were fought by the same environmentalists.
Even the recycling of banana peel, garden waste or cow dung is a thorn in the side of some Swiss. The Biomasse Suisse Association knows of twelve projects that cannot be implemented due to objections.
A geothermal project in Haute-Sorne JU is also fiercely fought. And the transmission system operator Swissgrid can also tell you a thing or two about objections. There are around 370 objections against the network project from Bickigen BE according to ChippisVS, which has been in the planning approval process since 2015.
Time is running out
In front of the media this week, Axpo CEO Christoph Brand criticized the “nimby” mentality of the Swiss – “Not in my backyard”: “The energy transition is technically feasible. But we also have to be allowed and able to expand. ” In order to get this done at the desired pace, the procedures would have to be greatly accelerated. Brand: “It works in other countries. France, for example, has cut the lowest level of appeal in energy projects.”
Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga heard the call. At the beginning of 2022, she wants to send a template for consultation that could speed up the process. “The federal government should have a more active role in the planning of large energy plants and the various licensing procedures in the cantons – land use plan, building permit, water protection permit, clearing permit – should be merged,” explains a spokeswoman for the Federal Office of Energy.
The electricity companies are pleased to note, but urge you to hurry. The electricity giant Alpiq also brings another idea to the table: “Another measure could be to set up a specialized department for energy infrastructure projects at the Federal Administrative Court,” said a spokesman.
Time is running out. Very few Swiss people want to spend winter evenings with nothing but a candle in their living room.