Executive Summary
ProKilowatt conducted competitive tenders for electricity savings for the sixteenth time in 2025. With 26 million Swiss francs, 63 new projects and 3 new programs were funded, which will save 53 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year in the future. This corresponds to the annual consumption of approximately 11,600 Swiss households. The cost-benefit ratio is 2.9 centimes/kWh. For the first time, electrical optimization of actuators in industry is being supported.
Persons
No individuals mentioned by name.
Topics
- Electricity savings and energy efficiency
- Industrial energy optimization
- Promotion of renewable technologies
- Swiss energy policy
Clarus Lead
ProKilowatt promotes electricity-saving projects in industry and households through competitive tenders. The 2025 balance sheet shows: 63 projects and 3 programs receive a total of 26 million Swiss francs. Particularly relevant for decision-makers is the broad range of new funding measures – from lighting renovations to compressed air optimization to actuator optimization, which is being supported for the first time. The continuous tender round 2026 has already been running since November 2025 with simplified submission processes.
Detailed Summary
The funding decisions for 2025 were made in early December 2025. With the new projects and programs, annual electricity savings of approximately 53 gigawatt-hours will be achieved – a measurable contribution to Switzerland's energy transition. The cost-benefit ratio of 2.9 centimes/kWh (including implementation costs) demonstrates economic efficiency.
A focus lies on the bundling of multiple measures: companies can combine several electricity-saving projects (e.g., lighting renovations in multiple buildings or cooling system optimization across multiple branches). This enables funding contributions of up to 30% of investment costs. Among the three new funding programs, electrical optimization of actuators stands out – a measure that has never been supported before. Actuators are mechanical components in conveyor belts and packaging systems used in many industrial operations. Additional new programs support commercial equipment in food service businesses and compressed air system optimization.
The funded projects in 2025 demonstrate thematic diversity: replacement of 40 circulation pumps in a pharmaceutical company, cold generation optimization at fruit storage facilities, and pelletizing plant renovation. The 2026 tender round has already been running since November 3, 2025. Applications for programs must be submitted by May 1, 2026; funding decisions follow at the end of September. Project applications (20,000 to 6 million Swiss francs) can be submitted continuously and paperlessly via the web tool, with a deadline of November 1, 2026. Funding decisions are made continuously, ideally within 4 weeks.
Key Messages
- 26 million Swiss francs in funding volume for 2025 for 63 projects and 3 new programs
- 53 gigawatt-hours annual electricity savings (equivalent to consumption of 11,600 households)
- First-time support for actuator optimization in industry
- Bundling principle enables up to 30% funding contributions for combined measures
- Simplified procedures in 2026: paperless, continuous project submission possible
Critical Questions
Evidence: How is actual electricity savings measured and verified after project completion? What control mechanisms exist against overestimation?
Data Quality: Is the projection of 53 GWh based on actual measurement data from previous projects or on estimation models? How reliable are these forecasts?
Conflicts of Interest: What criteria prevent funding from flowing to projects whose savings would be economically viable even without subsidies?
Causality: How is it ensured that funded projects are actually implemented additionally and were not already planned?
Implementation Risks: What percentage of funded projects are actually realized? Are there cancellation rates or delays?
Comparability: How does the cost-benefit ratio (2.9 centimes/kWh) differ from alternative electricity-saving measures or other energy efficiency programs?
Target Groups: Are small and medium-sized enterprises reached equally well by the funding mechanisms as large companies?
Long-term Sustainability: How is the sustainability of electricity-saving measures ensured over 10+ years?
References
Primary Source: ProKilowatt: 2025 Balance Sheet of Competitive Tenders for Electricity Savings – news.admin.ch, February 12, 2026
Supplementary Sources:
- ProKilowatt Web Submission Tool: webtool.prokw.ch
- ProKilowatt – Competitive Tenders: www.prokilowatt.ch
Verification Status: ✓ 12.02.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 12.02.2026