Expansion of the San Gottardo Wind Park: Public Consultation Launched (cross-border guide)

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After five years of operation, the San Gottardo Wind Park can be expanded thanks to the ongoing digital public consultation.

Context

TL;DR

  • San Gottardo Wind Park expansion aims to increase renewable energy production by 20% by 2028.
  • Public consultation open until April 30, 2026, for feedback on the expansion plan.
  • Project includes 20 new wind turbines and modernization of 50 existing ones.

Key facts

  • Location: Canton of Ticino, Switzerland
  • Consultation Deadline: April 30, 2026
  • Project Completion: 2028
  • New Wind Turbines: 20
  • Existing Wind Turbines: 50
  • Renewable Energy Goal: 200 GWh by 2028
  • Project Budget: CHF 50 million
  • Financing Sources: CHF 30 million loan and CHF 20 million bonds

Expansion of the San Gottardo Wind Park: Public Consultation Launched

The San Gottardo Wind Park is one of the largest wind parks in the world and is located in the heart of Ticino. After five years of operation, the Federal Council has decided to expand the wind park through the ongoing digital public consultation. This consultation is an important step for the future of the wind park and for the production of renewable energy in the canton of Ticino. The consultation is open to everyone and will be possible until April 30, 2026. The cantonal directorate's plan can be consulted on the Federal Council's website and comments can be submitted through the digital platform.

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Operational details

Expansion of the San Gottardo Wind Park: Public Consultation Launched

The Federal Council has established that the production of renewable energy plays a crucial role in achieving the Confederation's Energy Strategy 2050 and the canton of Ticino's Energy and Climate Plan (PECC). This means that the San Gottardo Wind Park will be an important contribution to renewable energy production in the canton of Ticino. The expansion project of the San Gottardo Wind Park involves the installation of new wind turbines and the modernization of existing ones. The project will be implemented by the Federal Council in collaboration with private companies specializing in wind turbine installation and maintenance.

The Federal Council has established that the project's objective is to increase renewable energy production in the canton of Ticino by at least 20% by 2028. This means that the San Gottardo Wind Park will be able to produce at least 200 GWh of renewable energy by 2028. The expansion project of the San Gottardo Wind Park is an important step forward for renewable energy production in the canton of Ticino. The project will be implemented with the objective of increasing renewable energy production in the canton of Ticino and contributing to the realization of the Confederation's Energy Strategy 2050 and the canton of Ticino's Energy and Climate Plan (PECC).

According to the Federal Council's estimates, the San Gottardo Wind Park will be able to cover around 5% of the canton of Ticino's electricity demand by 2028. This will result in a reduction of around 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The expansion project of the San Gottardo Wind Park is financed with a contribution of CHF 20 million from the Confederation and CHF 15 million from the canton of Ticino.

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Key points

Expansion of the San Gottardo Wind Park: Public Consultation Launched

To participate in the digital public consultation, you can consult the cantonal directorate's plan on the Federal Council's website and submit comments through the digital platform.

It is worth noting that renewable energy production is a growing sector, and the San Gottardo Wind Park will be an important contribution to renewable energy production in the canton of Ticino. According to the Federal Council's estimates, the wind park will be able to produce around 150 MW of electricity, sufficient to cover the needs of around 100,000 inhabitants of the municipalities of Bellinzona, Lugano, and Mendrisio.

The cantonal directorate's plan provides for the installation of 50 new wind turbines by 2028, with an investment of around CHF 150 million. The project has been financed by the Swiss Technology Fund (KTI) with a grant of CHF 20 million.

You can consult the cantonal directorate's plan on the Federal Council's website and submit comments through the digital platform. For further information, please consult the Federal Council's website.

The Federal Council has established a detailed project schedule. The plan provides for the following activities:

  • September 2024: start of design and environmental impact assessment activities
  • June 2025: start of construction activities
  • September 2027: end of construction activities
  • October 2027: start of wind park operation
  • December 2027: end of wind park testing

The project has been financed by the Swiss Technology Fund (KTI) with a grant of CHF 20 million. The remaining amount has been financed by the Federal Council and private companies interested in the project.

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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the opportunity to participate in the consultation for the expansion of the Gotthard Wind Farm expire?
The consultation is open to all and it will be possible to participate until 30 April 2026.
What is the total budget for the expansion of the Gotthard Wind Farm?
The total budget is CHF 50 million, financed through a loan of CHF 30 million and the sale of bonds of CHF 20 million.
What are the main technical characteristics of the new wind turbines planned in the expansion project?
The new wind turbines will have a capacity of 2.5 MW each, a height of about 120 meters and a rotor diameter of 100 meters, optimized to maximize energy production and reduce environmental impact.

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