.jpg)
Hydropower in Switzerland Reliable, renewable, and central to security of supply
Around 60 percent of the electricity produced in Switzerland comes from hydropower. This energy is domestic, reliable, renewable, and virtually CO₂-free. Hydropower forms the backbone of Switzerland's electricity supply – day and night, 365 days a year.
Switzerland is at the forefront in Europe: only Norway, Austria, Iceland, and Albania have an even higher share of hydropower. Axpo contributes significantly to this leading position. As Switzerland's largest producer and operator of hydropower plants, Axpo has a broad portfolio of run-of-river, storage, and pumped storage power plants in various regions of the country.
power plant control centers
in Switzerland
Energy volume
in GWh/a
Installed turbine capacity
in MW
Reversion and concessions
The operation of hydropower plants is based on temporary concessions. When a concession expires, the concession grantors basically have two options: they can either grant the previous concessionaire a new concession and, if they wish, increase their stake in the power plant in the process. Or they can exercise what is known as reversion and take over the power plant themselves, either entirely or with partners. If they opt for reversion, the rights of use for the water are transferred to the respective canton or municipalities. In this case, too, existing operators such as Axpo can continue to play an important role as potential partners for cantons and municipalities. This is because the operation of a hydroelectric power plant involves various business risks and requires expertise in numerous areas.
Upcoming Events
Under the guiding principle “Maximise hydropower value,” Axpo will demonstrate at HYDRO 2026 how hydropower plants can be operated reliably over the long term, further developed and successfully marketed. The focus will include operations and maintenance, engineering, digitalisation, asset management, executive management and power marketing.
Visit Axpo at the Swiss Pavilion, Booth 199 and exchange ideas with our experts.
Further information and contact information for HYDRO 2026 can be found via the link below.
The Interalpine Energy and Environment Days bring together experts, decision-makers and interested parties from South Tyrol, Austria and Switzerland. Hydropower plays a central role as an important pillar of the energy transition.
The event will cover topics including technological innovations, ecological requirements, digitalisation and practical solutions for hydropower.
Programme highlights:
- Keynotes
- Fish passage
- Best practices, digitalisation and artificial intelligence
- Penstocks and waterways
On 30 October 2026, from 08:00 to 12:00, an excursion to the E-Werk Prad cooperative will also take place. The visit will include the Prad battery storage facility as well as several hydropower and thermal power plants.
Further information about the event, the programme and registration can be found on the website of Interalpine Energy and Environment Days Mals 2026.
Axpo on site
As part of the “Best Practices & Digitalisation / AI” session, Jürgen Krenn from Axpo power AG will give the following presentation:
PowerOwl®: Establishing a unified asset structure for the maintenance of hydropower plants
Block 3
29 October 2026, 14:15–14:30
Kulturhaus Mals
Jürgen Krenn, Head Workforce Management
Contact
Would you like to exchange ideas about the presentation, PowerOwl® or Axpo’s hydropower activities before or after the event? Please contact us at the following email address: juergen.krenn@axpo.com. We look forward to your questions and to speaking with you in person.
The annual hydrosuisse Hydropower Conference offers professionals from the hydropower sector a platform to discuss the latest developments in hydropower utilisation. The focus is on the construction, operation and maintenance of hydropower stations. The conference is aimed in particular at engineers and specialists from hydropower operators, service providers, universities and the supply industry.
Further information on the 2026 Hydropower Conference can be found on the hydrosuisse website and in the event flyer (PDF).
The Conference will be held in German and French.
Axpo at the event
Axpo will have a stand in the foyer. Do come and visit us to find out more about our expertise in the operation of hydropower plants.
In addition, Manuel Blum from Axpo Power AG will be giving the following presentation as part of the programme:
Update on the study into production losses
10 November, 2.05–2.30 pm
Manuel Blum, Senior Engineer, Models & Data
We look forward to welcoming you to our stand and discussing digital solutions and the findings from the study with you.
Contact
Would you like to find out more about digital solutions for hydropower plants? Please feel free to contact us here.
If you have any questions specifically regarding the presentation or the study, you can contact Manuel Blum directly at manuel.blum@axpo.com.
The 23rd International Seminar on Hydropower Plants focuses on the role of hydropower in Europe’s energy transition. Key topics include energy security, flexibility, storage, environmental compatibility and the long-term development of hydropower through to 2050.
The event provides an opportunity to exchange views on scientific findings, political frameworks and practical solutions.
Further information about the event and registration, as well as the preliminary conference programme, can be found on the Vienna Hydro 2026 website.
Axpo on site
As part of the “Asset Monitoring” session, Jürgen Krenn from Axpo power AG will give the following presentation:
AI-Supported Unified Asset Structuring and Classification in Hydropower
Session 1.3
18 November 2026, 13:30–15:00
Franz Josef Room
Jürgen Krenn, Head Workforce Management
Contact
Would you like to exchange ideas before or after the event about the presentation, digitalisation in hydropower or Axpo’s activities? Please contact us at the following email address: juergen.krenn@axpo.com. We look forward to your questions and to speaking with you in person.