To reinforce Switzerland’s electricity supply security, the Federal Council was informed on 14 May 2025 that the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) has selected five new reserve power plant projects with a total capacity of 583 megawatts. These plants are expected to be operational from 2026.
The selection follows direct negotiations and a call for offers issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), which assessed proposals submitted by the end of February 2025. Contracts with the selected operators will now be finalised, enabling the start of the planning phase.
Four of the five awarded projects will be implemented by members of SPIN – the Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network. These facilities will not only secure supply during critical periods, but also rely on renewable fuels, showing that reliability and defossilisation can go hand in hand.
Two new backup power plants are to be built by SPIN member GETEC in the Sisslerfeld development area. These will be able to supply up to 124,000 households with renewable electricity in critical situations.
Together, the two plants will supply 57 megawatts and will be built over the next three years.
As Urs Zimmerli, CEO of GETEC Switzerland, says: “In this way, we are making an important contribution to security of supply without neglecting climate protection. Our plants are based on proven technology, are sustainable and reliable.”
GETEC will use hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as primary fuel, which reduces CO₂ emissions by 90 per cent compared to fossil fuels. HVO comes from biogenic residues and is sourced from European production. Because hydrogen is used during production, HVO is seen as somewhere between biofuel and synthetic fuel.
This decision by the Swiss government therefore highlights the strategic role of Power-to-X technologies in bridging energy security and climate goals. SPIN is proud that its members are at the forefront of this development – shaping a resilient, defossilised energy future for Switzerland.
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