As ENTSO-E’s map shows, the Alpine region is really at the centre of Europe’s interconnected electricity system. It is also where the first cross border and pan-European electricity networks started before being extended over time to the rest of Europe.

In view of this strategic and historical role, ENTSO-E has decided to focus its third regional conference on Alpine Power Links, teaming up with the TSOs of Southern Germany Amprion GmbH and TransnetBW, APG of Austria, Swissgrid of Switzerland, RTE of France, ELES of Slovenia, and Terna of Italy. The Florence School of Regulation as well as the Renewables Grid Initiative are also partners to the event.

How to develop the network to optimise the flexibility potential offered by hydro in the region? Can the Alpine continue to pioneer in electricity system cooperation? Will we see a Regional Energy Forum develop? How to adapt markets to the energy transition? What role for civil society and NGOs in particular?

These are some of the questions that will be debated during this one day conference that will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first power link that tied Switzerland together with France and Germany back in 1958.

“The Alpine region is a fantastic laboratory for developing the flexibility, digital and market solutions that the European power system needs. Am looking forward to a very rich day of debate at the heart of Europe’s grid”, commented Laurent Schmitt, ENTSO-E Secretary General.

More information on the conference taking place in Basel can be seen on entsoe.eu.