David Jossen appointed new Managing Director of Electra-Massa and Energie Electrique du Simplon EES

The boards of directors of Electra-Massa AG and Energie Electrique du Simplon EES have appointed David Jossen as the new Managing Director of both companies. He succeeds to Beat Imboden, who will move to Grande Dixence SA on 1 April, where he will take the role of Managing Director as of 1 August 2023. With David Jossen, an accomplished leader and a proven expert in hydropower is taking over the management of the two companies Electra-Massa and EES, for which Alpiq is responsible as the largest shareholder in each mandate.

The 39-year-old grew up in Naters, Upper Valais. Jossen studied Systems Engineering at the HES-SO University of Applied Sciences in Sion, with a specialization in Mechanical Engineering. Recently he completed various certificate courses in management and leadership. Jossen has been working for Hydro Exploitation SA since 2015 – first as Head of the Goms operating group, and since 2019 as Head of the Massa-Goms operating group. In this function, he leads a team of 20 people and is responsible for the operation of 6 hydropower plants - including the Bitsch power station of Electra-Massa. With an average annual production of around 600 gigawatt hours (GWh), this is one of the largest storage power plants in Switzerland. Before joining Hydro Exploitation, Jossen worked for many years in a managerial role in underground mining, in particular from 2011 onwards in the construction of the tunnel system for the Nant de Drance pumped storage power plant.

Continuation of proven partnerships

Over the past decades, both Electra-Massa and EES have established themselves as regional partners for the production of electricity from renewable energies and for strengthening the security of supply. The election of David Jossen is a guarantee for the continuation of these proven partnerships. As Managing Director, Jossen will continue the work of his predecessor and further develop ongoing projects – including the Gondosolar high-alpine photovoltaic plant and the Oberaletsch project, one of the 15 projects of the Swiss government’s hydropower round table.

More about Electra-Massa: Electra-Massa operates the Gebidem reservoir, which dams the water of the Great Aletsch Glacier, and the Bitsch power station, 750 metres below. The shareholders of Electra-Massa are: Alpiq (34.6%), BKW Energie AG (16.1%), IWB (14%), Axpo Power AG (13.8%), FMV SA (11.5%) and Groupe E SA (10%).
Electra-Massa storage power plant (alpiq.com)

More about Energie Electrique du Simplon EES: EES operates the Gondo, Gabi and Tannuwald hydroelectric power stations in Gondo-Zwischbergen and Simplon and also owns and operates the local 16 kV grid. EES is part of the project of the alpine PV project Gondosolar. The shareholders of EES are: Alpiq (82%), EnAlpin (10.8%), EWBN (3.1%), FMV (2.7%) and over 50 small private shareholders (1.5%).
Simplon storage power plant (alpiq.com)

Further information about Alpiq at www.alpiq.com