HYDRAULIC ENERGY

Basic electricity production in Switzerland is provided by nuclear energy (40% of overall consumption). Run-of-river power stations provide 25% of requirements. A few fossil-fuelled power stations account for a further 4-5%. The remainder, almost a third of consumption, is provided by storage hydroelectric power stations.

Electricity generation in Switzerland – 2004
Contribution of the different types of plants

Nuclear power plants Hydropower plants (stored water) Run-of-the-river power plants Conventional thermal power plants

Hydraulic energy is obtained from moving water and has several positive features. It is clean, renewable and locally-produced. It is also easily mobilised. This flexibility of operation means that production can be constantly adjusted to fluctuations in demand, with a reliability and speed which are unrivalled.