DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Federal Council rushes to draft emergency plan for energy in Switzerland
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Federal Council rushes to draft emergency plan for energy in Switzerland

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Major changes in Switzerland in 2024: What expats need to knowMajor changes in Switzerland in 2024: What expats need to know
Switching off Christmas lights saved Swiss city just 70 francs last yearSwitching off Christmas lights saved Swiss city just 70 francs last year
After all that...Elcom confirms energy shortage in Switzerland highly unlikelyAfter all that...Elcom confirms energy shortage in Switzerland highly unlikely
Netflix and ironing bans: Switzerland's last-stand energy plan explainedNetflix and ironing bans: Switzerland's last-stand energy plan explained
Random checks, fines and cold showers: Swiss energy crisis plan explainedRandom checks, fines and cold showers: Swiss energy crisis plan explained
Swiss dams brimmed in preparation for energy shortages, ElCom confirmsSwiss dams brimmed in preparation for energy shortages, ElCom confirms
Switzerland to build emergency power plants to help avoid blackoutsSwitzerland to build emergency power plants to help avoid blackouts
Swiss city to switch off all streetlights between 1am and 5am on weekdaysSwiss city to switch off all streetlights between 1am and 5am on weekdays
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 14, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

Due to the high price of energy in Switzerland, the Federal Council has decided to create an emergency rescue package for utility providers. In a statement, the council noted that the failure of one large company could cause a chain reaction and jeopardize Switzerland’s already fragile energy supply.

Treacherous economic conditions in the energy sector in Switzerland

The war in Ukraine, and subsequent sanctions placed on Russia by Switzerland and the rest of Europe, have led many countries to try and wean themselves off gas and oil imports from Russia. This has led to high price fluctuations in the energy market, including in Switzerland.

In a statement on Thursday, the Federal Council said that the current treacherous economic conditions meant that electricity companies must secure their finances. To avoid any major international company going bankrupt, the Federal Council has announced that it is creating a “rescue package for system-critical electricity companies.”

Emergency energy laws to be passed by Swiss parliament in summer

The laws will be urgently discussed in parliament during the summer and will come into force immediately after passing. The Energy Minister, Simonetta Sommaruga, told the media in Bern that the emergency legislation will last for four years.

She said, "We have to be prepared for the worst case, which hopefully will never occur." Already, Alpiq, a Swiss energy company, had to create a cash buffer to avoid bankruptcy at the start of 2022.

What is the Swiss government doing to avoid an energy crisis?

While the contents of the law are yet to be finalised, Sommaruga revealed that the law would require “system critical companies” like energy providers to ensure their financial stability. The government is also planning a system of loans and financial incentives in the event of a bankruptcy, although Sommaruga said that these will be “subject to strict conditions and unattractive” in order to prevent a false subsidy.

Sommaruga made it clear that "waiting is not an option for the Federal Council." Already, nations like Austria and Germany are taking steps to guarantee their energy supply, with Sommaruga noting that “the situation is serious.”

By Jan de Boer