Negotiations between ewz, the municipality of Surses and the canton of Graubünden
Following the rejection of the concession renewal application for the Tinizong and Nandro hydropower plants by the municipality of Surses, Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich (ewz) is planning to continue the dialogue with the municipality and the canton of Graubünden. The aim is to submit a new licence offer that meets the requirements and interests of all parties involved.
Ewz’s original concession application for the renewal of the water rights concessions for the Tinizong and Nandro power plants, which expire in May 2035, was rejected by the Surses electoral municipality on 21 January 2024. Despite this decision, ewz remains optimistic and intends to continue the constructive dialogue in order to highlight the advantages of a renewed concession.
Philippe Heinzer, Head of the Energy division at ewz, emphasises ewz’s willingness to engage in solution-oriented negotiations and sees the inclusion of the concession renewal as one of the options for action in the municipality’s message as a positive sign of confidence.
As a long-standing electricity producer in the region, ewz has extensive experience and is significantly integrated into the local economy and infrastructure. With an annual production of over 700 GWh, which corresponds to the consumption of around 280,000 four-room households, ewz plays a central role in the regional energy supply. A licence renewal would enable ewz to continue to operate the existing plants efficiently and safely and to continue to guarantee the energy supply in the region.
In addition, ewz invests around CHF 10 million annually in the maintenance and modernisation of the power plants and the regional distribution grid and contributes to regional value creation with substantial tax and water interest payments.
By focussing on strengthening hydropower as a renewable energy source, ewz is reaffirming its commitment to the preservation and further development of this important resource. The planned offer for a new concession to the municipality of Surses and the canton of Graubünden will show how ewz sees its role in the future energy supply of the region and how it can contribute to the sustainable development of the local community.