Switzerland has 1,860 active local electricity communities

Local electricity communities (LECs) have been permitted in Switzerland since the beginning of 2026. Six months after their introduction, their rollout is progressing rapidly.

A survey by Swissolar of the country’s 30 largest distribution system operators (DSOs), supplemented by data from LEGhub, a Swiss platform for local electricity communities, identified 1,323 LECs at the end of June. Extrapolated nationwide, the figure corresponds to approximately 1,860 communities.

However, deployment varies significantly among DSOs, depending on factors including demand, administrative processes, and IT systems. The size of the communities also varies considerably, with an average of 7.2 participants and a range of three to 29.

The data also show that 22% of participants generate their own electricity. Producers account for 9% of participants, while 13% are prosumers – both producers and consumers. Locally generated electricity can therefore be consumed directly within the community.

Regulatory hurdles remain

Despite the initial uptake, Swissolar said several regulatory and practical barriers remain. The association is calling for greater use of grid-fee reductions, the avoidance of unnecessary administrative costs, and measures to facilitate electricity supply across different grid levels and municipal boundaries.

The initial figures indicate growing interest in the new model, with additional LECs currently being planned. Swissolar said removing regulatory barriers could accelerate their deployment and increase their contribution to the integration of renewable energy.

To support the development of LECs, SwissEnergy, Swissolar, and the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES) have launched the electricitelocale.ch platform. It provides information, tools, and practical models for households, businesses, municipalities, and energy-sector stakeholders seeking to implement local electricity models.