Axpo Muttenz Reserve Power Station: Key milestone in emergency preparedness

Axpo and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) have signed the contract for the planned reserve power station in Muttenz. This means the approval process can now begin. Axpo will finalise the project documentation by the end of 2026 and submit it to the Canton of Basel-Landschaft. Commissioning is possible from winter 2030/31. With the reserve power plant, Axpo is undertaking another important project for Switzerland’s security of supply. The power plant will be fuelled by CO₂-neutral HVO biodiesel; a switch to eMethanol is possible at a later date.

In brief:

• Axpo is planning a reserve power plant in Muttenz (BL) to strengthen Switzerland’s security of supply.
• With the signing of the contract by Axpo and the SFOE, the authorisation process can begin.
• The reserve power plant will only be used in emergencies and will be powered by CO₂-neutral HVO biodiesel.

Widespread and prolonged power cuts have potentially dramatic consequences. To strengthen Switzerland’s security of supply, particularly during the winter months, the federal government has planned a series of measures, including five reserve power stations. The planned Axpo reserve power plant in Muttenz (BL) is the largest of these and, with an installed capacity of 291 MW, makes a substantial contribution. This means that, in an emergency, it can produce enough electricity to meet the needs of around 600,000 households.

Commissioning possible from 2030/31

Following the award of the contract by the SFOE in May 2025 and the signing of the contract, Axpo can now proceed with the next planning stages for the reserve power plant. The project documents will be submitted to the Canton of Baselland by the end of 2026, after which they will be made available for public consultation. The reserve power plant will potentially be available from winter 2030/31.

CO₂-neutral fuel

If the power plant is commissioned, Axpo will operate it using CO₂-neutral energy sources. The fuel used will be HVO biodiesel, which is recognised in Switzerland. This is CO₂-neutral and is produced entirely from renewable raw materials such as waste and residues. In a second phase, the switch to the hydrogen-based fuel eMethanol can take place as soon as sufficient quantities are available and the federal government makes the relevant decision. To this end, the power station is being designed to be ‘Methanol Ready’. Thanks to the renewable fuels stored on site, the power station can operate independently for at least two weeks. The concept strengthens security of supply whilst remaining climate-friendly.

The power plant in Muttenz is designed as a reserve power plant for periods of electricity shortage. To ensure that it is never used if possible, the expansion of winter electricity production in Switzerland in particular must be significantly accelerated. This is particularly important in view of the eventual decommissioning of nuclear power stations due to age, which will begin with the Beznau nuclear power station in 2033. If this expansion is successful, the expected number of operating hours for the planned reserve power station will be low.

Axpo has demonstrated in its Energy Reports that winter electricity production must be significantly expanded. Additional gas-fired power stations could make an important contribution here from 2035 onwards. Unlike the reserve power station in Muttenz, which would only be deployed by the federal government in the event of acute electricity supply bottlenecks, these gas-fired power stations would be positioned within the energy market.

More information

Axpo Energy Reports

Further information on the Muttenz reserve power station

Note for editorial teams

Definition of HVO biodiesel: The abbreviation HVO stands for ‘Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil’. The HVO biodiesel intended for the reserve power plant is a synthetic diesel fuel produced from recycled vegetable oils (e.g. used cooking oils) or animal fats (e.g. slaughterhouse waste) through hydrogenation (reaction with hydrogen). If produced using renewable energy, HVO biodiesel is completely CO₂-neutral.