Swisscom's tiko steps up its international expansion with new partner

tiko Energy Solutions Ltd, founded in 2012 as a joint venture by Swisscom and the Grisons-based energy company Repower Ltd, develops successful solutions for the Swiss and global energy sector. tiko employs a staff of 50 in Olten and is a pioneer in the field of smart energy use, combining exceptional telecommunications and IT knowledge with expertise in the energy sector. The IoT platform enables all types of electrical devices -- such as heating and water-heating systems, photovoltaic plants, batteries, or charging stations for electric vehicles -- to be grouped in a virtual power plant, in order to guarantee, for example, the stability of the regional and national network. 

By 2014, tiko's groundbreaking solution had already been included in the Swiss Federal Office of Energy’s list of flagship projects as a future-oriented component in the implementation of the Swiss Confederation's 2050 energy strategy.

Since then, tiko has won numerous important international prizes for innovation, such as the Energy Management Award and has successfully expanded into neighbouring countries. It now works in active partnership with more than a dozen well-known energy companies in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France, making tiko one of the market leaders in its sector. 

With revenue of around €65 billion in 2017 and 150,000 employees across five continents, the French company ENGIE is the ideal partner for the next stage of tiko’s expansion into other European and overseas markets.

Heinz Herren, Head of Strategic Projects and a member of Swisscom’s Board of Directors, stated: “The partnership with ENGIE is the right move for tiko. I am confident that this step will enable us to harness the full potential of this innovative product within our international expansion strategy, thus allowing us to make a valuable contribution to energy reform.”

tiko is already one of the market leaders in the sector today. One of tiko’s USPs is its unique approach of combining energy efficiency solutions for households and SMEs with the flexibility to support the integration of renewable energies.

Samuel Bontadelli, COO of Repower Ltd says: “tiko has made an important contribution to achieving the targets set out in the Energy Strategy 2050 and has allowed us to undertake promising pioneering development work in the field. For the next phase of tiko’s growth, the company needs to develop its global presence. In ENGIE, we have found the ideal partner with which to do this.” With network stability certification in Switzerland, France and Germany, tiko’s technology has already achieved international approval, demonstrating that it can be adapted to new markets and products.

Frédéric Gastaldo, CEO of tiko Energy Solutions Ltd: “We are delighted and grateful for the support and trust we have received from Swisscom and Repower since the inception of tiko. In the field of load aggregation and decentralised and residential producers, tiko has been able to create a technological innovation and transform it into a commercial product -- an achievement that the industry had previously considered impossible. We now look forward to a new milestone for our existing shareholders with the arrival of ENGIE, which should enable us to continue and further accelerate our growth.”

ENGIE will now be the controlling majority shareholder of tiko. Swisscom, Repower and the employees will remain company shareholders. The founding companies will continue to be represented on tiko’s Board of Directors. Ueli Dietiker, the previous Chairman of the Board of Directors, is stepping down.