Understanding electricity billing rates

A tariff consists of several components:

  1. Energy tariff
  2. Transport tariff
  3. Power
  4. Metering tariff
  5. Subscription if applicable
  6. Taxes

This document details each of these components.

Energy tariff

This is the price of electricity as a commodity. Your supply contract may also include peak and off-peak hours, depending on your supplier. During peak hours, demand is high and electricity is more expensive. Conversely, off-peak hours correspond to periods of low demand, where the kWh is cheaper.

Transport tariff

Like any commodity, electricity must be transported to your site. Distribution system operators (DSO) bill for this service.

The transport tariff includes several components:

  1. The local grid, entirely managed by your Distribution system operator (DSO).
  2. The national grid, managed by Swissgrid.
  3. Federal transport levies:
    1. Solidarity transport costs: introduced in 2026, this component amounts to 0.5 ct./kWh. It is used to fund work on local grids and to provide temporary support to certain industries.
    2. Winter electricity reserve: this tax, also subject to VAT, is 0.41 ct./kWh. This funding comes from the Ordinance of 25 January 2023 on the establishment of a winter electricity reserve.
    3. System services: Services billed by Swissgrid to maintain the balance and stability of the electricity grid. This service is 0.27 ct./kWh in 2026.

All these levies are charges collected by Swissgrid, which is responsible for them. They are all subject to VAT.

Power

Depending on your tariff product, your site may also be billed on the maximum peak power drawn by your installation. In case of high demand, your Distribution system operator (DSO) must adapt its infrastructure to provide the necessary power.

For some Distribution system operator (DSO), each time the maximum power increases, it becomes the reference for the entire year. The Distribution system operator (DSO) then re-bills previous periods using the new value.

For other Distribution system operator (DSO), only the monthly power peak is billed.

Metering tariff

This tariff, introduced in 2026, covers the costs related to your electricity meter: its installation and reading. In the case of an RCP, there is generally only one Distribution system operator (DSO) meter billed: the input meter.

Prices vary depending on the voltage, the type of meter, and your Distribution system operator (DSO):

  • Low voltage (LV) meter <80 amps
  • Low voltage (LV) meter >80 amps
  • Medium voltage (MV) meter
  • High voltage (HV) meter
  • Virtual meter (for example, within the framework of a RCPv or a LEC)

Subscription

Some grid operators bill a fixed subscription fee, independent of your consumption, covering administrative costs related to your connection. Its amount varies according to your tariff product.

Taxes

  • There is a federal tax applied by all suppliers with a value of 2.3 ct./kWh. This tax is subject to VAT.
  • Cantons may issue a cantonal tax. This is not subject to VAT.
  • Municipalities may also add a specific tax, which is also not subject to VAT.
  • Cantonal and municipal levies may also be added. These are subject to VAT.

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