Switzerland off grid electrification

How will the energy system change in Switzerland?

That said, the Swiss energy system is expected to change rapidly in the years to come. The country plans to phase out its remaining nuclear capacity by 2044. Further, Switzerland is a central European hub for power transmission and therefore highly interconnected with the electric grid.

Will the Swiss power sector be integrated into the European energy system?

There is currently no overarching electricity agreement (or “Stromabkommen”) with the European Union that defines the integration of the Swiss power sector into the larger European energy system, and it is unclear whether such an agreement is even possible in the next three to five years.

Can Switzerland fill the energy-supply gap?

Switzerland currently relies on hydro and nuclear power to meet the bulk of its energy demand. However, it’s unlikely that a reduction in expected energy consumption and a buildup of domestic renewables would suffice to fill the energy-supply gap, which could potentially begin as early as 2030.

What are Swiss electricity generation profiles?

Hourly Swiss electricity generation profiles of nuclear, conventional-thermal, PV, wind, and run-of-river (RoR) hydropower were obtained from various data sources ( BFE, 2018b; CAMS, 2019; Suisse Eole, 2020; Swissgrid, 2020) (for more details see Section S.1.1 in supplementary material).

How much electricity does Switzerland import?

In 2019, the country imported, exported, and transitioned around 40 TWh of electricity, with up to 60 percent of total produced power exported in the summer and the same share imported in the winter 4. This high level of interconnection makes Switzerland dependent on power-market developments and regulations on a European level.

Why is Switzerland phasing out its nuclear capacity?

The Swiss power sector is phasing out its nuclear capacity, which means the country will need to rely on alternative energy sources. Four potential pathways can help. May 13, 2021 Industry forecasts show that the Swiss energy system is expected to face a growing energy-supply gap in the decades to come.