This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 2/14/2019

Overview

Switzerland’s overall energy mix includes imported oil (51%) and natural gas (15%), and largely domestic electric power generation (33%), including hydropower and nuclear.  Switzerland is nearly self-sufficient in electricity production and the country trades actively on the European energy grid.  Currently, more than 600 hydroelectric plants generate nearly 60% of Switzerland’s electricity.  Its five nuclear plants generate another 33.5% of Swiss electricity, with renewables (4.3%) and conventional and geothermal power (2.2%) providing the balance.  Switzerland is embedded in the European energy grid via its national grid manager (Swissgrid) which links Switzerland to France, Germany, Italy, and Austria. 
 
(In million USD)201420152016 (Estimated)2017 (Estimated)
Total Local Production18,1219,5139,5139,513
Total Exports1,380999839942
Total Imports10,2606,3294,8765,788
Imports from the US
 		6617424888
Total Market Size8,4419,7389,6819,608
Exchange Rates applied0.9150.9630.9850.985
(total market size = total local production + imports - exports)
1 Swiss gross value-added in the energy supply sector per: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/volkswirtschaft/volkswirtschaftliche-gesamtrechnung/produktionskonto.assetdetail.3322003.html.  No data available for 2016 and 2017.  Estimates based on 2015 data.
2 Includes goods linked to electric power including hydro, nuclear, wind and solar power (HS Codes 8401, 8502, 8410, 8541), crude oil and refined petroleum (HS Codes 2709 and 2710).

Leading Sub-Sectors

Renewables in general, smart energy grids, petroleum (crude and refined).

Opportunities

Switzerland’s five nuclear power plants will be decommissioned between 2019 and 2034 and services related to decomissioning may offer opportunities for U.S. companies.  Renewables such as hydropower, solar power, and wind power will be further increased, while the development of a smart energy grid may also offer opportunities for U.S. companies.  U.S. crude oil and refined petroleum also offer opportnities in the Swiss market.  U.S. exports to Swizterland of refined petroleum grew steadily between 2014 and 2017 from $4 million to $29 million, while U.S. crude oil exports to Switzerland began in 2015 and have amounted to between $16 million and $139 million annually.

Web Resources

Swiss Federal Office of Energy: http://www.bfe.admin.ch/kontakt/index.html?lang=en
Switzerland’s national grid company (Swissgrid): www.swissgrid.ch
Association of Swiss Electricity Companies: www.strom.ch
 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.