04. May 2026
(CONNECT) In the current exploratory phase, Wettingen in the Swiss canton of Aargau has emerged as one of the frontrunners in terms of a new location for Hitachi Energy AG. In order to allow the Zurich-based Swiss subsidiary of the internationally active Japanese industrial group to establish a presence in Wettingen, the cantonal government has now requested that the Grand Council of Aargau, which is the canton’s executive body, should accordingly amend the development plan for the Tägerhardächer area of Wettingen. As detailed in a statement issued by the canton, the establishment of the Hitachi campus in Wettingen has the potential to “secure 1,000 existing jobs and create up to 2,000 new jobs in Aargau, in addition to strengthening the Limmat Valley economy and further developing regional infrastructure”.
During the consultation and public participation process that concluded on March 27, 2026, the economic significance of the project was emphatically acknowledged, according to the canton. However, criticism was directed at the valuable agricultural land that would have to be repurposed. Moreover, concerns regarding potentially compromising the settlement buffer zone and the Sulperg-Rüsler landscape corridor, as well as in relation to the potential for increased traffic, were also expressed.
After reviewing the objections, the canton reportedly concluded that the public interest in the planned establishment of Hitachi Energy outweighs these concerns and that there are no conflicts relating to spatial planning. The regional planning association and the local municipality also take a positive view of the project. Additionally, the canton makes clear that the interests and reservations of the neighboring municipalities will be taken into account in further planning processes.
Hitachi Energy has still yet to reach a final decision. In the event that the company opts against the Wettingen site, all considerations and plans would be rendered null and void. ce/mm
