SBB relies on renewable energies

[bahnause]

From January 1, 2025, traction current will come entirely from sustainable sources. Until now, it has consisted of 90 percent hydropower and 10 percent nuclear energy as well as a small proportion of photovoltaics.

SBB operates the second-largest electricity grid in Switzerland, exclusively for rail operations. SBB generates around 2,000 gigawatt hours of electricity per year with eight of its own hydroelectric power plants, five other shareholdings, 70 substations and a 1,800-kilometre-long network of power lines.

SBB has published a press release on this topic under this link (German, French, Italian)

 

[nwales58]

It is fitting that it's a century since the Barberine dam (since extended as the lac d'Émosson) and hydropower plant being built to enable large scale railway electrification.

 

[Re 4/4]

I think there might be a historical reason here as during the world wars Switzerland was largely cut off from coal and diesel imports, so they decided to become as self sufficient as possible, electrified the railways and built hydro plants.

Which is admittedly easier if your country is small, rich, and full of mountains.

 

[AndrewE]

I think there might be a historical reason here as during the world wars Switzerland was largely cut off from coal and diesel imports, so they decided to become as self sufficient as possible, electrified the railways and built hydro plants.

Which is admittedly easier if your country is small, rich, and full of mountains.

and (at least used to have) regular snow and snowmelt to feed the HEP reservoirs and power stations. Which is getting a bit iffy these days...

 

[35B]

I think there might be a historical reason here as during the world wars Switzerland was largely cut off from coal and diesel imports, so they decided to become as self sufficient as possible, electrified the railways and built hydro plants.

Which is admittedly easier if your country is small, rich, and full of mountains.

I don’t think Switzerland was rich at the time.