Energy Federal Council examines measures due to backlog in hydropower expansion
By 2040, the 16 defined hydropower projects of national interest are only expected to supply around half of the electricity originally planned. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti's Energy Department therefore wants to outline possible options for action by the end of the year.
27.08.2025, 12:36
SDA
On Wednesday, the Federal Council was informed about the status of the expansion, as it announced. The result is far below expectations.
The 16 hydropower projects of overriding national interest should supply a total of 2 terawatt hours (TWh) of additional electricity by 2040. However, current feedback from the project sponsors shows that only around 1.1 TWh is likely to be realized by 2040 and 1.5 TWh by the final expansion of the projects.
The assessment of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is based on a survey in the second quarter of 2025. "Depending on the project, there will be redimensioning, individual projects will not be pursued or not pursued further for the time being, others are still in preliminary investigations or in planning, preliminary or concession procedures," it said.
