Energy facilities.

With its power plant, sub-stations and rail power network, SBB has outdoor spaces of significance for biodiversity and the potential for a better network of habitats.

SBB has set biodiversity milestones for its power plant for 2040. These include implementing a catalogue of biodiversity measures for the nature-friendly care and management of outside spaces, enhancing biodiversity in new projects and renovation works, minimising sealed surfaces and actively tackling invasive neophytes. Local circumstances and conditions will be actively considered.

Biodiversity is enhanced in outside spaces at sub-stations and comparable operational areas in steps that follow operational and regulatory procedures. Ecological enhancements have been made in pilot projects at four sub-stations in different regions to create a basis for decisions about future projects and developments.

Biodiversity is promoted in a targeted way with simple measures like nesting aids for birds, bat boxes and small structures on disturbed and gravel surfaces and the planting of vegetation suitable for the location.

Revegetation is always with indigenous species suitable for the location so it supports local flora and fauna.

These enhancements and nature-friendly maintenance create ecological networks, promote and maintain areas with high potential for biodiversity and have a positive impact on water retention, the infiltration of precipitation.

Many power plant and sub-stations are outside of settlements and are particularly suitable for support measures. Bat boxes are continually being installed at suitable locations and measures are being implemented on operational buildings for the benefit of urban nesting bird species. In addition, constructive measures to improve the protection of birds continue to be implemented at energy facilities and along overhead lines.

The surfaces at Bussigny sub-station were previously sealed or covered with gravel on which flora could not thrive. These gravel surfaces are being upgraded to promote biodiversity, which is in line with the operational requirements of the sub-station. On surfaces with insulators, the focus is on low-growing plant mixes, while indigenous plant species are being used in areas where height is not an issue. We are also planting indigenous shrubs to expand the feeding and nesting options for local fauna. This creates an ideal habitat for insects, bats and birds so they can increase in number in the facility and find food. This sub-station was certified in 2025 by the Stiftung Wirtschaft und Natur.