To safeguard its electricity supply, Switzerland maintains an electricity reserve, which is enshrined in the Electricity Supply Act. This reserve helps to prevent and manage power shortages. It is made up of a hydropower reserve, a thermal reserve comprising backup power plants, emergency generators and combined heat and power plants (CHP plants), as well as a demand side balancing reserve. ElCom, in consultation with the SFOE, determines the composition and overall scale of the electricity reserve. For ElCom reports on security of supply, see 'Links'.
Last modification 15.04.2026
