"Members of the 'Swiss Electricity Agreement Alliance' will closely monitor parliamentary debates and provide factual information about the agreement," summarizes Annalisa Job, communications manager for the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES).
It is often forgotten, but because of its geographical location, Switzerland is at the heart of the European electricity grid. In total, 41 transmission lines connect it to neighboring countries. Yet it remains excluded from the European internal electricity market. To limit the risks to our supply, Swissgrid must renegotiate private-law technical agreements every year with the grid operators of neighboring countries.
This situation could change in the coming years thanks to the electricity agreement. After long negotiations, it was signed on March 2 by the President of the Confederation and the President of the European Commission. But nothing is yet won: the people will still have to vote on Bilaterals III, of which this agreement is a part.
Given its importance, intense lobbying by the main energy stakeholders is underway. Gathered within the "Swiss Electricity Agreement Alliance", they support its adoption on one condition: its implementation must not be accompanied by additional national regulations deemed excessive, the so-called "Swiss Finish" reminiscent of that in the banking sector. Responsible for communications at the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES), Annalisa Job discusses the ambitions and stakes of this alliance. Interview.
The question of the "Swiss Finish" remains a source of concern. Where do discussions with Bern stand regarding the changes requested to the national implementation draft presented a year ago?
During the consultation, a large majority welcomed the electricity agreement negotiated with the EU. It contributes decisively to strengthening supply security and price stability in Switzerland, to the benefit of both businesses and households. Some points of its national implementation, however, remain pending and will be examined during parliamentary debates. For the "Swiss Electricity Agreement Alliance", it is essential that the gains achieved during the negotiations are not compromised by additional regulations that the agreement does not require.
Does the evolution of these discussions explain the creation of such an alliance?
No. The "Swiss Electricity Agreement Alliance" was created because of the importance of this agreement. It brings together representatives from the economic world, the energy sector and other spheres in order to make a common voice heard and to contribute to an objective public debate.
The Alliance shows that the electricity agreement is an issue for the whole economy and society.
What can it bring to the lobbying work already carried out by the AES?
The value of this Alliance lies in its cross-sectoral nature. It shows that the electricity agreement is an issue for the whole economy and society. It concerns both the population and businesses as well as the cantons and municipalities. The Alliance also coordinates the information and awareness-raising actions of its members.
With a little over thirty members to date, this alliance remains modest in size. Does it plan to broaden its ranks to have more weight in the debates?
The Alliance deliberately chose to form around a core of committed members and already benefits from the support of numerous actors from the economy, the energy sector and other areas. Our goal is to broaden this base. Discussions are underway with interested organizations and companies. It is not only the number of members that is decisive, but also their diversity and credibility.
However, the electricity agreement remains linked to the upcoming votes on Bilaterals III... Isn't that the main obstacle, on which the Alliance cannot act?
The electricity agreement is part of the Switzerland-EU package, but it will be submitted to Parliament as part of a separate federal decree. The overall context of European policy is certainly complex. It is therefore all the more important to highlight and repeat the concrete benefits of this agreement for the economy and the population.
What will the Alliance's agenda be for the coming months?
The "Swiss Electricity Agreement Alliance" will closely follow the parliamentary debates, provide factual information on the agreement and continue to expand its membership base. It will also continue its information work in the media and on digital channels.
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