Urban utilities and opportunities for the private sector in local energy services in Switzerland

Abstract

The delivery of local services is one of Swiss local governments’ main tasks and has a long tradition of public provision. In the last few decades, a shift from in-house production to the corporatization of utilities has emerged in Switzerland, but the public sector is still seen as predominant in the provision of local services. This research explores the current situation of urban utilities in Switzerland and which factors influence the opportunities for the private sector in the provision of energy services at the local level. Results show that opportunities for the private sector and disruptive actors in energy services might rely on partnerships with public institutions and on innovative services.