Executive Summary

The Federal Council is implementing the acceleration ordinance effective April 1, 2026, enabling faster approval procedures for large solar, hydroelectric, and wind energy facilities. The Energy Act is being simplified: cantons conduct concentrated planning approvals, legal remedies are shortened, and the power grid planning process is streamlined. Two regulations on electricity remuneration take effect at a later date.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collectively)

Topics

  • Energy transition
  • Renewable energies
  • Administrative procedures
  • Electricity production

Clarus Lead

The Federal Council is accelerating the implementation of solar facilities, hydroelectric power plants, and wind energy facilities through simplified approval procedures. These measures significantly reduce investment risks and planning durations for project developers. The ordinance is based on the Energy Act, which the federal chambers passed in September 2025 and which is now being implemented in stages.

Detailed Summary

The acceleration ordinance centralizes approvals at the cantonal level. In the future, the canton where the facility is located will issue all previous cantonal and municipal approvals for construction, expansion, or renewal of energy facilities of national interest in a single procedure. This eliminates coordination delays between administrative levels and reduces project planning costs.

The procedures are further accelerated by shortened legal remedy pathways. At the cantonal level, only one appeal to the higher cantonal court is permitted in the future, rather than multiple instances. The power grid planning process is also simplified to synchronize grid expansion and facility connection.

Two regulations on electricity remuneration – in particular the feed-in tariff and minimum remuneration for small facilities under 150 kW – do not take effect on April 1, 2026. The required implementing provisions in the Energy Ordinance are still being prepared and will take effect at a later date.

Key Points

  • Concentrated Planning Approval: Cantons issue all permits in a single procedure
  • Shortened Legal Remedies: Only one cantonal appeals body instead of multiple
  • Simplified Grid Expansion: Power grids and facility planning are coordinated
  • Phased Implementation: Two remuneration regulations follow later
  • Effective April 1, 2026: Main part of the ordinance takes effect immediately

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence & Data Quality: What studies demonstrate that procedure shortening actually leads to faster implementation without compromising approval quality?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Do large investors benefit disproportionately from centralization, while smaller projects (under 150 kW) remain initially excluded?

  3. Causality & Alternatives: Are accelerated procedures the main brake on energy transition, or do financing, grid capacity, and land availability play larger roles?

  4. Implementation Risks: Can cantons and higher courts handle the new workload without creating backlogs?

  5. Side Effects: Does reduction to a single appeals body lead to less scrutiny of environmental and resident protection concerns?

  6. Remuneration Delays: Why cannot remuneration rules take effect simultaneously, and how long will Energy Ordinance preparation take?

Sources

Primary Source: Federal Council implements accelerated procedures for construction of large solar, hydroelectric, and wind energy facilities – news.admin.ch, February 25, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ February 25, 2026

This text was created with the assistance of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Checking: February 25, 2026