Switzerland’s largest battery storage system in operation

09.09.2026 – Switzerland’s largest battery storage system currently in operation has been built in recent months in the municipality of Gurtnellen (Canton Uri). The two projects by Axpo and energieUri were officially inaugurated on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

In brief:

• Axpo and energieUri are making an important contribution to the integration of renewable energies and the security of energy supply through their battery storage projects.
• The two large-scale battery storage facilities operate at the same industrial location, increasing the flexibility and stability of the energy system.

By commissioning what is currently Switzerland’s largest battery storage facility, energieUri and Axpo are demonstrating their ability to deliver innovative energy solutions. Large-scale battery storage systems play an important role in integrating renewable energy. They make
it possible to store surplus energy at short notice and feed it back into the grid when needed. This increases flexibility in the energy system and makes a key contribution to grid stability. While Axpo’s battery storage system has a national focus, energieUri’s installation was built specifically to meet the needs of Canton Uri.

In the Plattischachen area of Gurtnellen, energieUri and Axpo have built two large-scale battery storage systems close to one another, with an output of 50 megawatts (Axpo) and 8.4 megawatts (energieUri), respectively.

An energy hub with national significance

Hermann Epp, Member of the Cantonal Government and Director of Public Works, expressed his enthusiasm towards the projects during the inauguration: “The Plattischachen industrial area is well on its way to becoming an energy hub of national significance thanks to these two large-scale battery storage systems.” He said the projects demonstrated that Uri was not merely paying lip service to the energy transition but actively pursuing it. “Projects like these also strengthen technological expertise within the canton, generate business for companies in Uri and safeguard jobs in the region. In other words, Uri benefits well beyond the energy supply alone.”

The systems are an ideal addition to the existing substation of the national grid company and the Arniberg power plant operated by energieUri. “Uri is once again demonstrating its pioneering role in innovative energy projects,” Hermann Epp continued.

Another innovation project from energieUri

Werner Jauch, CEO of Uri-based energy service provider energieUri, emphasised the importance of a diversified energy portfolio: “Our first large-scale battery storage system is an ideal addition to our comprehensive energy portfolio. Alongside the expansion of renewable energies, we are deliberately investing in flexibility and storage projects. This is the only way we can successfully overcome the growing challenges of the energy transition in Switzerland.”

energieUri’s current energy projects include the recently commissioned Uri wind farm, the first pumped-storage power plant near Isenthal power plant in Uri and two major projects: Sidenplangg alpine photovoltaic system and Meiental hydropower plant. energieUri is also working with Axpo to build a hydrogen production plant in Bürglen.

Axpo expands storage capacity

“By expanding our battery storage activities, Axpo is consistently pursuing its growth strategy,” states Christoph Brand, CEO Axpo Group. Axpo has been developing, building and optimising large-scale battery storage systems in Switzerland and across Europe for several years. The plant in Plattischachen is currently the largest operational battery storage system in the company’s portfolio. In addition to projects already completed in Switzerland and Sweden, further facilities with a total output of more than 300 MW are under construction in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania. “Hybrid solutions – such as combining photovoltaic systems or wind farms with large-scale battery storage facilities – are also becoming increasingly important,” states Christoph Brand. Axpo’s growing project pipeline reflects its ambition to further strengthen its position in flexible energy storage.