
For decades, Switzerland's electricity market and infrastructure have been closely interwoven with those of its neighbouring countries. This integration into the European electricity market is in Switzerland's interest, as it helps to achieve national energy policy objectives and guarantees a reliable electricity supply in Switzerland.
Switzerland aims to ensure a reliable, clean and affordable electricity supply. Integration in the European electricity market is an important step towards achieving this.
Over the past 25 years, Switzerland's European neighbours have merged their national electricity markets to become a single internal market for electricity, with market rules constantly evolving. From its central location, Switzerland also trades in electricity with the countries around it. While this trade is set to continue, it will become more complicated without an electricity agreement between Switzerland and the EU. Throughout the European Economic Area (EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), market rules are in constant evolution. Switzerland finds itself increasingly excluded from these processes. An electricity agreement could provide a legal basis for ensuring Switzerland's participation in Europe's internal market for electricity.
Switzerland would thus strengthen its role as a European electricity hub, simplify the integration of renewable energy and open up new opportunities for its flexible hydropower resources.
Timeline
2021
- Legislative proposals of the EU Commission on "Fit for 55 Package" (June 2021)
2020
- Entry into force of the EU Clean Energy Package (January 2020)
2018
- Last round of CH–EU negotiations (July 2018)
2010
- Extension of negotiating mandate (September 2010)
2009
- Entry into force of the EU Third Energy Package (September 2009)
2007
- Start of negotiations (November 2007)