BKW eco fund

For 25 years now, one centime per kilowatt hour of electricity sold from naturemade star-certified hydropower has gone to the BKW eco fund. These funds are invested back into nature: CHF 32.9 million have already been invested in about 390 projects to improve watercourses.

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Jahresbericht BKW Ökofonds 2025

Our goal

We enhance living spaces. In doing so, we generate added value for animals and plants as well as people.

Our method

We build networks and rely on cooperation with strong partners – we can only be successful together.

Facts

Established in 2000 following the certification of the Aarberg hydroelectric power plant.

Since its establishment, we have carried out about 390 projects ourselves or supported them with financial or technical resources.

More than CHF 32,9 million from the fund has been invested in Swiss nature.

The BKW eco fund is active in the cantons of Bern, Jura, Basel-Landschaft and Solothurn.

Unanimous, collaborative and devoted to the protection of nature: the steering committee is comprised of representatives from the cantonal technical offices and environmental associations as well as BKW.

Three awards in three years:

  • 2015: Watercourse Award: Aarberg hydroelectric power plant
  • 2016: Best practice in Alpine Convention: Aarberg hydroelectric power plant
  • 2017: Stiftung Landschaftsschutz Schweiz (Swiss Landscape Protection Foundation): energy infrastructure landscape at the Aare-Hagneck canal

Are you planning an ecological enhancement project?

We will be happy to review your project and, if it meets the required criteria, provide you with financial support. You can find the application form to fill out online by clicking on the following link.

Please always attach the following documents to your electronic application:

  • A technical description of the project (including planned measures and cost breakdown)
  • Project plans
  • Maintenance regulations

A preliminary meeting with the municipality and cantonal technical services is recommended.

Important: Projects that are already in the implementation phase are not eligible for support. It is therefore advisable to submit your grant application in good time.

Applications are generally processed once a quarter by the management committee. In 2026, the committee will be able to process your application on the following dates:

Meeting datesSubmission of application documents by
March 20, 2026February 27, 2026
May 29, 2026May 8, 2026
September 2, 2026August 12, 2026
December 2, 2026November 11, 2026

Members of the steering committee

Half of the steering committee is comprised of representatives of environmental associations and external specialists, and the other half is made up of BKW employees. It manages the BKW eco fund and is responsible for the fund’s assets. The committee makes decisions unanimously.

All decisions are communicated in writing. If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Richli.

To apply, please use the form found under the following link. The regulations will provide you with further information about the BKW eco fund, the projects supported and the procedure.

Contact

Thomas Richli, Managing Director of the BKW eco fund

Electricity from renewable energies – independently certified

Customers who use “naturemade star”-certified electricity from renewable energies support the BKW eco fund with 0,7 centime per kilowatt hour. We offer private customers the Energy Blue electricity product. Free market customers who use more than 100 MWh of electricity per year can choose the Energy Origin Hydro star product.

“naturemade” is the Swiss seal of quality for energy from 100% renewable sources. The quality seal is supported by the WWF, Pro Natura and the Konsumentenforum consumer association and is awarded by the Association for Environmentally Sound Energy (VUE).

Projekte

Projekte

Über 380 Projekte hat der BKW Ökofonds bereits selber realisiert oder mit finanziellen und fachlichen Mitteln unterstützt.