Author: Federal Office for the Environment and Space (UVEK)
Source: news.admin.ch – Press Release UVEK
Publication Date: December 4, 2025
Reading Time of Summary: 4 minutes
Executive Summary
UVEK significantly corrects downward the goals for hydropower expansion: Instead of the targeted 2 TWh of seasonal winter production by 2040, only around 1.1 TWh is now considered realistic. The federal authority is launching a structured process to revise the project list (Annex 2 of the Electricity Supply Act) in order to create a sustainable foundation for future expansion – an admission that technical, economic, and regulatory hurdles are more substantial than initially calculated.
Critical Key Questions
Transparency & Accountability: Why were the original expansion goals not corrected earlier, and what consequences has the delay had for the energy transition and electricity supply security?
Regulatory Efficiency: Is the federal approval process a structural obstacle to faster implementation, or are ecological and economic limits primarily responsible?
Market Mechanisms & Innovation: What incentives would motivate private actors (Alpiq, Axpo, Swisspower) to accelerate expansion – technological breakthroughs, simplified approval, or higher return expectations?
Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives
Short-term (1 Year)
- Completion of survey among cantons and operators
- Update of project database
- First assessments by technical working group
- Risk: Low project additions due to uncertainty
Medium-term (5 Years)
- Federal Assembly approves revised project list
- First new projects in construction or approval phase
- Realized winter capacity: approximately 0.3–0.5 TWh
- Opportunity: Clear priorities reduce conflicts
Long-term (10–20 Years)
- Target of 1.1 TWh by 2040 achievable, but ambitious
- Dependence on storage technology and cross-border electricity imports remains high
- Risk: Energy security endangered without additional measures
Main Summary
Core Topic & Context
Switzerland is significantly falling short of its hydropower expansion goals. The Federal Office for Energy was forced to admit in summer 2025 that by 2040, instead of 2 TWh, only 1.1 TWh of seasonal winter production from new storage power plants will be achievable. The reason: technical feasibility problems, poor economic viability of existing projects, and lengthy approval procedures. UVEK is now initiating a restart with more realistic expectations.
Most Important Facts & Figures
- Target Shortfall: 2 TWh planned → 1.1 TWh expected (45% reduction)
- Time Horizon: Implementation deadline by 2040 (15 years)
- Main Obstacles: Downsizing, delays, suspensions, open procedures
- Process Steps: Survey, assessment using round-table methodology, technical working group, Federal Council proposal
- Decision-Makers: Federal Assembly (legislative change required)
- ⚠️ No quantitative information provided on costs, investments, or jobs
- ⚠️ Unknown: Timeline for Federal Council decision and parliamentary vote
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
Public Actors: UVEK, Federal Office for Energy, Cantons, Conference of Energy Directors
Private Energy Companies: Alpiq, Axpo, Swisspower AG, Swiss Small Hydro
Environmental Interest Representatives: Pro Natura, WWF Switzerland, Foundation for Landscape Protection Switzerland, Swiss Fisheries Association
Industry Associations: Hydrosuisse, VSE
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Prioritization of feasible, profitable projects | Energy security in 2040 questionable without additional measures |
| Transparent, consultative methodology strengthens acceptance | Lengthy approval processes intensifying |
| Scientific monitoring reduces planning errors | Private investors lose confidence in hydropower |
| Ecological standards are considered | Dependence on electricity imports grows |
Relevance for Action
For Decision-Makers: Hydropower alone cannot support Swiss energy transition. In parallel, wind power, solar energy, and grid technology must be massively expanded. The process demonstrates: Realistic planning outweighs over-ambitious goals – provided alternatives are pursued consistently.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
✅ Verified:
- Press release from December 4, 2025 is current
- UVEK competence for hydropower policy confirmed
- Round-table methodology is an established standard
- Participating organizations (Alpiq, Axpo, Pro Natura, etc.) correctly named
⚠️ Uncertainties:
- Specific delay reasons per project not listed
- Cost implications missing
- Timeline for parliamentary implementation open
Supplementary Research
- Energy Perspectives 2050+ – Federal Office for Energy: Overall energy scenarios with hydropower forecasts
- Alpiq & Axpo Investment Planning – Reactions and strategies of leading hydropower operators
- Federal Council Energy Security 2040 – Compensation measures for hydropower shortfalls
Source Index
Primary Source:
UVEK Press Release – Hydropower Expansion (December 4, 2025)
Supplementary Sources:
- Federal Office for Energy: Electricity Supply Act, Annex 2 (Project List)
- UVEK – Energy
- Hydrosuisse Industry Statistics
Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on December 4, 2025