Basel: IWB gets a CHF 1.02 billion investment framework for 2027–2030, focused on district heating and the grid

The government council of the canton of Basel-Stadt approved on 3 November the new performance mandate (Leistungsauftrag) of Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB) for 2027–2030 and sent it to the Grand Council, the cantonal parliament. The associated investment framework totals CHF 1.02 billion, the government announced.

The figures. For the four divisions — electricity, heat, water and telecommunications — an investment volume of CHF 840 million is planned, which must be approved by parliament. A further CHF 181 million, for expanding Basel's district heating network and for charging infrastructure for BVB's electric buses, was approved earlier, according to the statement, which was also carried by the Keystone-SDA news agency.

What the mandate says. Its two pillars are the decarbonisation of energy supply and adaptation to decentralised structures. Decarbonising heat is presented as an important contribution to the net-zero target by 2037. In electricity, IWB will adapt its generation portfolio and distribution grid, with more grid intelligence, against the background of the canton's “solar offensive” and the growth of e-mobility. The government also notes the growing importance of business models for the free market, such as solutions with battery storage.

Context. In heat, the priority remains expanding district heating in line with the plan approved by parliament in 2021, with a higher share of climate-neutral production. IWB will continue to expand its renewable energy business outside the canton as well. The government also renewed the owner strategy for 2027–2030, keeping the previous directions. The previous mandate, for 2023–2026, had been adopted by the government in December 2022.

What comes next. The mandate and the investment framework must be approved by the Grand Council.