27.08.2019 | An objective perspective on security of supply
The current discussion on security of supply in Switzerland is controversial. The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) is calling for more objectivity on the topic. Studies on the security of supply and the federal Energy Strategy must not be based on assumptions that have long since been overtaken by reality.
Power supply in Switzerland is nearly CO2-free and reliable. Will that also be the case in the future and will it be sustainable?
The SFOE is now reviewing its prognoses. In a first step the System Adequacy Study will be revised, followed by a review of the ES 2050. This will create new bases to assess security of supply.
This is where the industry association VSE is getting involved. In studies we make assumptions, define extreme and reference scenarios, create models, and, based on these, derive the need for action. However, prognoses from studies can only be as accurate as the assumptions they were based on. So new federal government studies should not work with outdated assumptions. What's needed is not "optimistic, but rather realistic and somewhat pessimistic assumptions. Security of supply must be guaranteed when things do not go according to plan."
So what does the VSE mean by realistic assumptions? The most important ones are:
Find more realistic assumptions here: "System-Adequacy-Studien Schweiz: Notwendige Annahmen für eine sachliche Einschätzung der Stromversorgungssicherheit"/Source VSE; German only)
It is important to consider these assumptions in new government studies and to recognise that the framework conditions for domestic power production are inadequate and lack incentives for long-term investment.
Only with an analysis of all the critical elements "can we make a sound assessment of the possible supply risks and strike a balance between the necessary measures and risks that we are willing to take into account, says the VSE.