WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

4.4.7 Switzerland
Martin Bölli, Skat Consulting, Switzerland
Key facts
Population 7,925,517
Area 41,277 km 2
Climate Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold,
cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to
warm, cloudy, humid summers with
occasional showers 1
Topography Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in
northwest) with a central plateau of
rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Rain pattern Along the northern Prealps and Alps, as
well as in the South, average annual
precipitation is about 2,000 mm, which
contrasts with the Valais region
(between 500 mm- 600 mm) and the
Engadin region (between 600 mm - 700
mm). In the lowlands north of the Alps,
the average amount is between 1,000
mm and 1,500 mm. Apart from the Valais
region, the amount of rainfall in summer
is approximately twice as large as that in
winter. 2
Electricity sector overview
In 2011, the total production of electricity in Switzerland
was 63,723 GWh. Swiss electricity production is
dominated by hydropower (half of it is produced by
storage power plants) and nuclear energy which
accounts for 39 per cent (figure 1). Switzerland is a
transit country for electricity, in 2011, it imported
79,589 GWh and exported 77,156 GWh. 3
Wind 0.12%
Biogas 0.21%
Sun 0.25%
Biomass 0.40%
Waste 1.68%
Non-Renew able
45.50%
Hydropow er
51.90%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Switzerland
Source: Bundesamt für Energie 3
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
Currently, over 1,100 small hydropower plants produce
about 3.6 TWh each year. About 800 GWh are produced
annually in power plants with an output of less than 1
MW (about 950 power plants) and 270 GWh from plants
with an output of less than 300 kW (about 750 power
plants). Small hydropower plants are owned by utilities,
private companies or individuals. The regulation
guarantees that the full (renewable energy) production
of Independent Power Producers (IPP) has to be
absorbed by the national grid. Details about small
hydropower plants with a capacity of more than 300 kW
can be found in the Swiss Hydropower Statistics. 7
Detailed statistical data of smaller power plants is not
available but is based on market observation and a
study from the 1980s.
SHP installed
capacity
SHP potential
n/a
760 MW
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Switzerland
Source: Swiss Federal Office of Energy 6
Most of the large hydropower potential has been
developed. Today, the potential of small hydropower is
even higher than the remaining one for large
hydropower stations. 7 The remaining small hydropower
potential is estimated to be 4.3 TWh/year, divided into:
Rehabilitation und upgrading of existing power
plants: about additional 2.4 TWh/year
New constructions, taking into consideration
sustainability aspects: additional 1.9 TWh/year
Around 100 years ago, nearly 7,000 mills, waterwheels
or small turbines were in operation, some of which
generated electricity while others were intended for
mechanical uses. Due to insufficient viability and
competition with lower production costs of large power
plants the majority of these facilities were subsequently
closed down. But since the 1990s, small hydropower
plants have come back into favour again thanks to its
Federal Government’s action programmes aimed at
promoting renewable energy.
The main objective of the small hydropower programme
by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy is to costeffectively
develop the existing expansion potential of
small-scale plants with an output up to 1 MW by directly
and indirectly promoting corresponding projects.
Renewable energy policy
On 31 January 2001, Energy Minister Moritz
Leuenberger launched the Swiss Energy programme on
the basis of the Energy Act and CO 2 Act, referring to it as
‘a platform for an intelligent energy policy’. The main
strength of this programme aimed at promoting energy
efficiency and the use of renewable energy lies in close
co-operation between the Federal Government, the
cantons and municipalities, and numerous partners
from trade and industry, environmental and consumer
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