Reversion
Alpiq wants to extend the concessions well in advance of their expiry and continue to use hydropower.
Energy companies operate many hydroelectric power stations – run-of-the-river power plants, storage power plants and pumped storage power plants. In order that these power stations could be built, the operators needed a concession from the respective canton or municipality. This concession, generally issued for a period of between 40 and 80 years, entitled the operator to use the community’s water.
Many of these power plants, which are located predominantly in the mountainous Swiss cantons, are already decades old and their concessions expire in a few years. This also applies to a number of Alpiq’s power stations.
Following expiry of the concessions, the hydraulic installation (water-related parts) constructed on public or private property reverts to the community, what is known as reversion (compare the reversion diagram on www.energyforum-vs.ch). Cantons and municipalities can waive the right of reversion and can either extend or re-allocate the concession, or they can participate in the reverted plant or even operate it themselves.
Alpiq: Strength through know-how and experience
With a view to the long-term security of investments, Alpiq is interested in the earliest possible extension of the affected concessions. Alpiq possesses more than 100 years of know-how in the use of hydropower, the business experience and the necessary risk capacity that is required in this long-term oriented business – and is thus well equipped to continue to operate its power stations safely and reliably even after the expiry of the period of concession. Whether and if, and under what conditions, the concessions can be renewed is something that Alpiq has to negotiate with the municipalities and cantons.
Alpiq is in favour of continuing the concessions
Basically Alpiq holds the view that
the responsibilities of the state and industry are clearly separated in the interest of the security of supply,
that the public authorities limit themselves to their tasks as regulators and as (co)owners of electricity companies and waive participation in the roll of electricity supplier,
the electricity companies and not the state possess the required operational know-how and the necessary risk capacity for the generation of electricity and hence the extension of the concessions makes economical sense and is in the interest of both parties.