Statements

In amending the Energy Act, the Federal Council aims to introduce greater incentives for the expansion of renewable energy sources in Switzerland. Axpo fundamentally welcomes this approach. But the planned investment contributions are not suited to investment in urgently needed large-scale plants. Therefore, Axpo is proposing the introduction of tender-based floating market premiums, which are already established in Germany and France. In addition, a risk guarantee would ensure that there is sufficient investment in the long-term preservation of existing hydropower plants.  

The gas market in Switzerland is still divided into supply monopolies. The so-called Associations' Agreement allows consumers, who are tiresome and very large, to choose their gas supplier freely and has not yet led to functioning competition. Axpo therefore welcomes the liberalisation of the gas market in Switzerland provided for in the GasVG, but consistently advocates a complete opening. Only in this way can the unequal treatment of market players be avoided and clear, good legislation be guaranteed without mixing different political objectives. 

The Energy Strategy 2050 provides for investment contributions for new hydropower plants and for the expansion and renewal of existing power plants. With the current revision of the ordinance, the Swiss government intends to create greater support, in particular, for the construction of new or the expansion of existing storage power plants. Axpo takes a critical view of this adjustment. The increase in investment contributions is too small to trigger the realisation of projects that have not yet been economically viable. Due to the continuing tense market situation and constantly increasing environmental requirements, the list of still profitable new construction and expansion projects is likely to be exhausted soon. In line with the energy strategy, the equalisation of replacement investments and the abolition of the previous distinction between new plants, extensions and renewals are also more effective objectives. 

The SEFV regulates the modalities around two funds which ensure the financing of the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the disposal of their radioactive waste. Axpo is critical of the partial revision, and, in particular, finds the planned reduction in the real yield to be incomprehensible. This is not only unnecessary, but also deprives the operators of important funds that would be necessary for investments in the future business and for the transformation of energy systems. On the other hand, Axpo welcomes the introduction of a more efficient recovery process and the renunciation of a general safety margin. These adjustments are both justified, accurate and were already discussed in the Administrative Commission prior to the revision.

The StromVG lays down the framework conditions for the electricity market in Switzerland. In principle it has been effective. Changes should therefore have as little impact as possible on the electricity market. Not all the revisions in the Federal Council's draft take this into account. The exchange of data and the division of responsibilities between ElCom and Swissgrid gives the TSO operator unjustified competitive advantages. The extension of the pre-emptive right to Swissgrid shares reduces their value and is impracticable. On the other hand, the bill does not create incentives for replacement investments or formulate measures to maintain Swiss hydropower plants.