Ordinance on the promotion of electricity production from renewable energy sources (OEneR)

Country / jurisdiction: Switzerland · Year: 2018 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

This Ordinance regulates the promotion of electricity production from renewable energies, which is financed by the grid surcharge referred to in Art. 35 NEAT. A latest version is under public consultation and incorporates the following measures:

The ordinance provides for a high one-off payment (RU) of up to 60% of the investment costs for photovoltaic systems without own consumption, such as those on barn roofs or in warehouses. The amount of this RU for a system without own consumption with an output of 150 kilowatts (kW) or more will be determined in an auction. For this purpose, the project managers will submit their concrete incentive requirements, expressed in francs per kW. In the event of an auction, they will be guaranteed a payment equal to the amount of the winning bid (pay as bid) and will have to build the plant. For small photovoltaic plants with a capacity of at least 2 kW but less than 150 kW, there will be no auction, but a fixed RU of 450 francs per kW.

A basic contribution of 200 francs is included for installations with a capacity of 2 to 5 kW. To compensate, the performance-related contribution will be increased by 20 francs for the performance class below 30 kW for all categories of installations. Integrated systems with a tilt angle of at least 75 degrees already receive a bonus. The bonus for add-on or stand-alone plants is set at 100 francs per kW of installed capacity, which is lower than the bonus for integrated plants (250 francs per kW of capacity due to the integration costs).

New hydropower plants with a capacity of at least 1 MW are eligible for an investment contribution. Expansions and major renovations of facilities with a capacity of at least 300 kW after completion of the work are subsidized. The rate of the investment contribution for new hydropower plants or for those that are significantly expanded is 50% of the chargeable investment costs. In the case of major renovations, the rate is 40% of the chargeable investment costs for small facilities with a capacity of less than 1 MW and 20% for large facilities with a capacity of over 10 MW. Drought periods will be taken into account when certifying the achievement of the electricity production targets, thus relieving the operators.

The investment contributions for biogas plants using biomass from agriculture amount to 60% of the chargeable investment costs. For other biogas plants and wood-fired power plants, the rate is 40% of the chargeable investment costs, and 20% for government-owned infrastructure as well as for sludge incineration and landfill gas plants. Biomass plants receive a contribution to the operating costs, which is paid quarterly for each kilowatt-hour of electricity fed into the grid. The amount of this contribution depends on the type of plant and the power class.

Another novelty: an investment contribution can also be allocated for wind power plants. It amounts to 60% of the attributable investment costs.

Geothermal plants can benefit from investment contributions governed by the OEneR, which replace the contributions for the search for geothermal resources previously set out in the Energy Ordinance (OEne). It is possible to claim the costs of the development of geothermal resources as well as certain planning costs inherent to the exploration and development phase. If a search for geothermal resources is successful, it is now possible to apply for an investment contribution for the construction of a geothermal installation to generate electricity.

Official source: https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2017/766/fr