International agreements between countries are often the result of lengthy negotiations aimed at reconciling and advancing common interests. These negotiations, however, tend to have strong political implications, shaped by the sentiments of the nations involved. When discussing politics and public opinion in Switzerland, one cannot ignore the scepticism many Swiss feel towards the European Union. To better understand this dynamic, it is essential to examine how geography and international cooperation shape Switzerland’s relationship with its largest trading partner: the European Union. This analysis focuses on electric transport, a little-known yet increasingly fundamental aspect of modern life.
Geography is the first issue to address. As André Holenstein wrote in issue 12/2023 of Limes – Rivista Italiana di Geopolitica: “L’esistenza della Svizzera si fonda su una specifica posizione in Europa” (“The existence of Switzerland is founded on its specific position in Europe”). This observation, valid for trade and mobility, is today especially crucial for energy, particularly electricity.
To understand electricity, it is necessary to provide a brief introduction to some technical aspects. Electricity travels nearly at the speed of light, crossing the continent in milliseconds, from Oslo to Naples. Moreover, this flow of electrons oscillates at a specific frequency: 50 Hz, the frequency of alternating current used today. To keep the grid stable, this frequency must remain constant, requiring continuous coordination. Even small variations in production or consumption can create imbalances. This happens because sources of generation (nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, etc.) are not constant, and because millions of end users are constantly switching devices on and off. Renewables add further complexity: they inject electricity into the grid independently of human intervention and are increasingly decentralised in their points of origin. The “constant” imbalance between generation and consumption makes coordination fundamental, in order to avoid both surpluses and shortages. Electricity follows the laws of physics, not politics. It flows along the path of least resistance — and the shortest path available.
Switzerland is a central node in this system. In 1958, the first 220-kilovolt high-voltage line connected Switzerland to its neighbours. Today, the country has more than 40 interconnection lines with bordering states, and each year tens of thousands of gigawatt-hours transit across Swiss territory. Electricity from Germany, France, Italy, and Austria routinely passes through Switzerland, making the country indispensable to Europe’s electricity system. For example, in 2024 alone, 21 TWh were transferred towards Italy, and about 1 TWh flowed in the opposite direction. Switzerland’s strategic position makes it not only a consumer but also a crucial transit hub, essential to the overall stability of the continental grid. The EU has committed to ensuring that a significant share of grid capacity is available for cross-border trade, but this goal cannot be met if flows through Switzerland remain unmanaged. For Switzerland, maintaining stable international flows with only domestic resources would be challenging, especially since the country does not produce enough energy to cover its own winter consumption. Grid stability is particularly important because, as Spain recently demonstrated, major disruptions can trigger blackouts that severely damage national economies.
Switzerland’s geographical centrality within Europe, whether welcomed or not, places it in a sensitive position. The risks of this position were dramatically demonstrated on 28 September 2003 at 3 a.m., when an overloaded Swiss transmission line triggered a blackout that left the entire Italian peninsula without power. Southern Italy remained without electricity until late evening.
Once the importance of electricity transit through Switzerland is established, attention shifts to the geopolitical significance of an agreement with the EU. As often occurs with international agreements that serve collective interests — in areas such as energy, transport, or postal services — states are generally more willing to conclude such treaties. Wolfgang Friedmann referred to this type of international law as “cooperative international law,” a conception of interstate relations characterised by universality and realism.
This universality and realism are evident in Switzerland’s energy policy, which is inseparable from its geography. The country is not only an Alpine nation renowned for hydropower but also one of the most interconnected hubs in Europe’s electricity grid. This physical centrality makes Switzerland indispensable to Europe’s electricity system, just as integration into the EU’s electricity transport system is indispensable for Switzerland. Moreover, it is in the collective interest of the population to avoid the risks of a blackout.
Nevertheless, Switzerland is not part of the EU’s internal energy market. Since negotiations stalled in 2021, cooperation has been reduced to ad hoc technical arrangements. The result is a paradox: Europe’s grid cannot function efficiently without Switzerland, and Switzerland cannot ensure its own security of supply without structured access to Europe’s markets. Shared interests, therefore, compel both sides to return to the negotiating table.
One of the central elements of the new agreement is technological access: Switzerland will be fully integrated into European coordination mechanisms, enhancing security and flow management while reducing the risks of blackouts and shortages. Stronger cross-border cooperation and improved emergency response will reinforce grid stability and reliability. From a technical perspective, this agreement is vital for reducing unplanned power flows that threaten stability, securing Switzerland’s access to European trading and balancing platforms — which are essential for maintaining the 50 Hz frequency — and enabling it to participate in shaping common rules instead of merely being subject to decisions taken elsewhere.
On the 13th of June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements included in the new package designed to stabilise and develop Switzerland’s bilateral approach with the EU, opening a domestic consultation process. This consultation will run until October 31st, 2025. The agreement may still be subject to a popular vote, in which case the Swiss people will have the final say. Yet one fact remains beyond doubt: Switzerland is fully integrated into European systems, and electricity represents one of the most striking examples of this interdependence.
