Indicator water

Production of hydropower

Hydropower is generally considered an environmentally friendly, carbon neutral energy source which does not have the risks associated with nuclear power. Nevertheless it does also have a negative impact: It reduces water volumes in the watercourses and can cause discharges to fluctuate massively and adversely affect fish migration. The expected average annual production shows the development and expansion of hydropower.

Assessment of the state
medium medium
Assessment of the trend
positive positive
Estimated mean production 2022: 37260 Estimated mean production 2021: 37172 Estimated mean production 2020: 37164 Estimated mean production 2019: 37011 Estimated mean production 2018: 36812 Estimated mean production 2017: 36640 Estimated mean production 2016: 36517 Estimated mean production 2015: 36405 Estimated mean production 2014: 36183 Estimated mean production 2013: 36022 Estimated mean production 2012: 36011 Estimated mean production 2011: 35903 Estimated mean production 2010: 35961 Estimated mean production 2009: 35621 Estimated mean production 2008: 35625 Estimated mean production 2007: 35599 Estimated mean production 2006: 35477 Estimated mean production 2005: 35432 Estimated mean production 2004: 35064 Estimated mean production 2003: 35129 Estimated mean production 2002: 35098 Estimated mean production 2001: 35052 Estimated mean production 2000: 34717 Estimated mean production 1999: 34645 Estimated mean production 1998: 34288 Estimated mean production 1997: 34067 Estimated mean production 1996: 34025 Estimated mean production 1995: 34011 Estimated mean production 1994: 33963 Estimated mean production 1993: 33376 Estimated mean production 1992: 33311 Estimated mean production 1991: 33140 Estimated mean production 1990: 33029 Estimated mean production 1989: 32787 Estimated mean production 1988: 32494 Estimated mean production 1987: 32362 Estimated mean production 1986: 32280 Estimated mean production 1985: 31900 Estimated mean production 1984: 31872 Estimated mean production 1983: 31831 Estimated mean production 1982: 31768 Estimated mean production 1981: 31646 Estimated mean production 1980: 31548 Estimated mean production 1979: 31502 Estimated mean production 1978: 31468 Estimated mean production 1977: 31408 Estimated mean production 1976: 31231 Estimated mean production 1975: 31028 Estimated mean production 1974: 30738 Estimated mean production 1973: 30550 Estimated mean production 1972: 30457 Estimated mean production 1971: 30410 Estimated mean production 1970: 30337 Estimated mean production 1969: 28870 Estimated mean production 1968: 28757 Estimated mean production 1967: 27437 Estimated mean production 1966: 26634 Estimated mean production 1965: 25270 Estimated mean production 1964: 24285 Estimated mean production 1963: 24094 Estimated mean production 1962: 23390 Estimated mean production 1961: 20996 Estimated mean production 1960: 20516 Estimated mean production 1959: 18833 Estimated mean production 1958: 17833 Estimated mean production 1957: 17004 Estimated mean production 1956: 15484 Estimated mean production 1955: 15328

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Office of Energy
Comment

The expected average annual production has risen continuously over the last ten years. This is a consequence of the fact that hydropower has increasingly been promoted to help secure energy supplies and that the conditions on the European electricity market have become more attractive. This development is likely to be boosted by the decision to phase out nuclear power (energy strategy 2050). In terms of energy and climate policy this development is welcome, but even more intensive use will then be made of surface waters. In order to keep the resultant negative impact as low as possible, the Federal Government has published recommendations for the drafting of cantonal strategies for protection and use in relation to small hydropower plants.

International comparison

The percentage of hydropower generated in Switzerland to cover domestic electricity supplies is very high compared with the rest of Europe.

Method

For existing plants, the expected average production at the power station generator (without recirculation operation) corresponds to the long-term average power generation possible in normal operation (current state of the hydropower plant). For new and upgraded installations, the expected average production is derived from a theoretical calculation which is based on hydrological data for an average year and the design and planned mode of operation of the hydropower plant. The expected average production does not take into account the average energy requirement of the pumps or replacement supplies.

 
Last updated on: 22.06.2023

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