Summary
The Federal Council decided on 28 January 2026 to set the threshold for basic supply under the electricity agreement with the EU at 50 megawatt-hours per year. Small consumers below this limit can continue to benefit from regulated prices, while micro-enterprises between 50 and 100 MWh can optionally remain in basic supply – however, limited to ten years. This gives all end consumers the opportunity to freely choose their electricity supplier for the first time.
Persons & Institutions
- Federal Council
- UVEK (Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications)
- EDA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
Topics
- Electricity Agreement Switzerland-EU
- Basic supply and market liberalisation
- Consumer protection
- Energy policy
Detailed Summary
By setting the basic supply threshold, the Federal Council implements a central provision of the electricity agreement. The 50-MWh threshold creates a clear distinction between protected small consumers and the liberalised market.
Until now, only consumption points with annual consumption exceeding 100 MWh could freely choose their electricity supplier in Switzerland. The electricity agreement fundamentally opens this market to all end consumers. However, the Federal Council provides that households and smaller consumption points below 50 MWh can remain in a regulated basic supply with fixed prices – a protection mechanism for vulnerable consumers.
New is the opt-in regulation for micro-enterprises between 50 and 100 MWh annual consumption. These can voluntarily remain in basic supply but must demonstrate that they meet the EU definition of a micro-enterprise: a maximum of ten employees and annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than two million euros. This choice is time-limited and ends ten years after the electricity agreement enters into force.
In December 2025, the Federal Council tasked UVEK and EDA with developing options for how energy-intensive small enterprises can remain in basic supply. The regulation now adopted answers this requirement through the time-limited opt-in option.
Key Messages
- 50 MWh threshold defines the boundary between basic supply and free market
- All end consumers gain the right to choose their electricity supplier
- Households and small consumption points (below 50 MWh) can remain in regulated basic supply
- Micro-enterprises (50–100 MWh) can optionally remain in basic supply – limited to 10 years
- Regulated prices protect vulnerable consumers from market volatility
- Market liberalisation is implemented gradually and differentiated
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Households & small consumers | Benefit from protection through basic supply; optional access to free market |
| Micro-enterprises (50–100 MWh) | Freedom of choice with time limitation; must later switch to free market |
| Electricity suppliers | Must guarantee basic supply; market liberalisation creates competition |
| Large consumers | Benefit from market liberalisation and competition |
| Regulator (cantons/federal) | Must monitor and enforce basic supply regime |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Consumer protection through basic supply for vulnerable groups | Administrative burden in opt-in management |
| Competition and price transparency in liberalised market | Possible price volatility for consumers switching suppliers |
| Legal certainty through clear thresholds | Complexity for micro-enterprises in qualification |
| Harmonisation with EU market rules | Transition uncertainty after 10-year deadline |
| Incentives for efficiency and cost reduction | Potential market concentration among basic suppliers |
Action Relevance
For decision-makers:
- Monitor implementation deadlines: The 10-year opt-in deadline requires transition communication
- Ensure consumer protection: Clear information for households on basic supply rights
- Intensify market monitoring: Monitoring of electricity prices and supplier concentration
- Support micro-enterprises: Advice on qualification and opt-in utilisation
- Regulatory preparation: Cantonal authorities must adapt basic supply regimes
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements verified (thresholds, deadlines)
- [x] Institutional responsibilities validated
- [x] EU directive references verified
- [x] No unconfirmed data identified
- [x] No identified bias or political one-sidedness
Supplementary Research
- Federal Office of Energy (BFE): Official information on electricity agreement and implementation status
- EU Electricity Internal Market Directive (2019/944): Legal basis for basic supply definitions
- Industry reports: Impact of market liberalisation on Swiss electricity prices and competition
Source List
Primary Source:
Federal Council Press Release – "Electricity Agreement Switzerland-EU: Federal Council Sets Threshold for Basic Supply" (28 January 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/zKLtOD1mnjdSTNbflQFdR
Supplementary Sources:
- Federal Office of Energy (BFE) – Electricity Agreement Switzerland-EU
- European Commission – Directive (EU) 2019/944 (Electricity Internal Market Directive)
- Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK) – Consultation documents
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 28 January 2026
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 28 January 2026