Monitoring Energy Strategy 2050
Keeping a close eye on developments
With Energy Strategy 2050, Switzerland is transforming its energy system. To this end, it aims to increase energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy, and to reduce energy-related carbon emissions – all while ensuring a continued and cost-efficient energy supply. The corresponding revised energy legislation has been in force since the beginning of 2018 and has been further developed on various occasions since then.
Progress on this transformation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. This allows for early, fact-based corrective action in the event of undesirable developments. To this end, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and other federal agencies, conducts monitoring. The legal basis for this is provided by Articles 55 et seq. of the Energy Act and Articles 69 et seq. of the Energy Ordinance. Article 74a of the Nuclear Energy Act (NEA) is also relevant.
Monitoring topics and indicators
The monitoring focuses on trends relative to the target values defined in the Energy Act for per capita energy and electricity consumption, as well as relative to the target values for expanding electricity production from new renewable energy sources and hydropower. Additional topics and indicators cover grid development, security of supply, expenditure and prices, energy-related CO2 emissions, research and technology, and the international context.
The key indicators are available in the summary of the monitoring report. Additional indicators can be found in the full version of the monitoring report: In principle, every five years the Federal Council also submits a report to Parliament containing in-depth analyses and an assessment of the current state of energy policy.
Data collection on the development of the electricity distribution network
As part of its monitoring activities, the SFOE is carrying out a data collection effort on the development of the electricity distribution network. This includes, on the one hand, self-consumption power generation facilities, which are a driving force behind the expansion and decentralisation of renewable electricity production. In particular, these ‘self-consumption communities’ show great potential for the decentralised use of the energy produced. Furthermore, the SFOE collects data from distribution network operators on the adoption of smart meters and other components of the smart grid, such as intelligent control and regulation systems. Data collection for each grid area is conducted annually.