Energy policy is a delicate balancing act between environmental and climate protection, profitability and energy security.

In this complex context, Alpiq's position is clear. We make an important contribution in all four of the action fields defined by the Swiss government: energy efficiency, the promotion of renewable energies, large-scale power stations, and energy foreign policy.

Like many internationally-oriented companies, Alpiq has great hopes for Switzerland's strong economic involvement abroad. Even now, Swiss electricity experts are doing important work on European commissions. In the interests of energy security, Switzerland must exercise and expand its options for co-determination in Europe.

The new Electricity Supply Act has been in force since 1 January 2009. Switzerland is no longer an island in the liberalised electricity market of Europe. Companies with an annual electricity consumption in excess of 100 Megawatt hours are now free to choose their energy partner. In this context Alpiq offers professional advice and bespoke products and services.

The Electricity Supply Act provides the legal framework for an economically and ecologically viable exchange of electricity with other countries. Moreover, the Swiss grid company and regulatory authority have been institutionalised. Nevertheless the act does not fully come up to Alpiq's expectations. Market liberalisation in two phases based on a random consumption threshold of 100 Megawatt hours, coupled with the option of a referendum after five years of full liberalisation, are creating legal uncertainty and impeding any optimal progress towards the new market structures. The criteria applied when setting up the national grid went beyond the EU's requirements. In our view, the defined objective of transparent, non-discriminatory access could be achieved with fewer regulatory measures. Alpiq supports the promotion of renewable energies but would have preferred to see competitive, market-driven instruments that take greater account of efficiency. Nevertheless, Alpiq views the new regulatory framework as an acceptable compromise.