A look at ten of the top emerging issues in the power and utilities sector.
Utilities and electricity
The Swiss electricity market is undergoing a two-phased deregulation approach. In the first phase effective 1 January 2009, consumers with a annual consumptions exceeding 100’000 kWh are entitled to chose their own electricity supplier regardless of the electricity supplier’s location. The second phase, starts 1 January 2014 (subject to a facultative referendum) when all electricity consumers, including households, will be able to choose their own electricity supplier. Despite scepticism over the success of the first phase of the electricity market liberalization, it can be expected that the second phase of the liberalization will occur.
An increasing demand for electricity coupled with the expected decommissioning of three nuclear power plants and the phasing out of foreign long-term supply contracts will entail an electricity supply short fall around 2020.
The Swiss government has communicated its energy strategy which is based on four pillars:
- Energy efficiency
- Renewable energies
- Large power plants and
- External energy relations.
The ongoing deregulation of the Swiss electricity market and the concerns about the supply short fall present many opportunities for the utilities sector.
We are able to share our experiences of other electricity markets with you.
Empowering ideas
Issues and trends within the industry
- Rising energy demand, emissions reduction deadlines and looming energy shortages, along with a desire not to expand pump storage power plants into natural reservations and limited gas power plants, have all brought nuclear power to the fore.
- The supply chain is also struggling to keep up with demand – This situation is exacerbated by a shortage of talents with the capabilities to deal with liberalised markets.
- Dealing with the electricity gap and development of new products for energy efficiency, investments in renewable energies and replacement of anticipated decommissioned nuclear power plants with new power plants or alternatively gas power plants.
Our clients
We work with companies in all segments of energy and electricity sector – from the production to trading, distribution and retail segment.