Electricity security? Switzerland exported an average of 5.7 TWh in summer over the last 10 years, while it imported 3.7 TWh in winter.

‍ In every summer half-year of this period, Switzerland was a net exporter of electricity. In winter, however, there were only two half-years (2020 and 2024) with net exports – in all other winters, imports were necessary. By comparison: between 1990 and 1999, Switzerland had to import electricity in only two winters (1994 and 1995), while in all other winters it produced a surplus. A look at the development of consumption and production in the winter half-year clearly shows the cause of this shift: National consumption rose continuously from 27.9 TWh to 35 TWh between 1991 and 2011 and has since remained relatively stable overall – with a slightly declining trend in recent years. Electricity production in the winter half-year, however, could not be significantly increased on average during the same period. It is subject to strong annual fluctuations due to weather conditions, as around half of Swiss electricity production comes from hydropower. ‍ ‍