The plain that sets the pace in Ticino
Between Bellinzona and Locarno, the Magadino Plain combines moorland, railroad lines, high-voltage power lines and agriculture in a very small area. In August 2025, the federal government and canton presented a coordinated infrastructure plan that shows how energy supply and landscape protection can work together. A model that deserves attention far beyond Ticino.
Photo: Swiss Air Force
The report by the Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE is groundbreaking. The All’Acqua, Vallemaggia, Magadino high-voltage overhead line will be laid underground in the area of the protected moorland. The Magadino substation will be reduced in size as part of its renovation. Swissgrid is building a new double 220 kV line over around 66 kilometers. Once all projects in the region have been completed, over 70 kilometers of overhead lines can be dismantled.
Coordination as a principle
What makes this planning special is its integrative approach. The canton, Swissgrid, SBB and Azienda Elettrica Ticinese AET have been working on an overall vision for the Ticino electricity grids since 2013. The first phase has already produced a concrete result. Over 60 kilometers of extra-high-voltage lines in Leventina and Vallemaggia will become superfluous once the infrastructure has been renewed. The double-track expansion of the railroad between Contone and Tenero will be implemented in stages, with the potential for bundling with new power lines being examined.
A canton that sees energy as a spatial issue
Ticino produces around 3,624 gigawatt hours of electricity from hydropower every year, putting it in third place among the Swiss cantons. Here, energy is much more than just a basic technical supply. It shapes the landscape, determines power lines and influences the development potential of entire regions. The Magadino plain is a prime example of how economic growth and ecological responsibility come together in the same planning area.
What investors can read from this
Anyone thinking about logistics, trade or major development axes in Ticino inevitably touches on this area. Infrastructure policy here directly determines the competitiveness of the location. The Magadino plain provides proof that forward-looking coordination creates trust and reduces project uncertainties. This is exactly what investors are looking for.
Info Box
Topic:
Coordination of power infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and conservation interests.
Key feature:
Partial cabling of the high-voltage line and optimization of the Magadino substation.
Relevance to the region:
Security of supply and land use conflicts have a direct impact on development and investment.