Executive Summary
The Swiss Federal Council modified the natural gas supply assurance ordinance on 15 April 2026. Starting 1 June 2026, the five Swiss regional network operators no longer need to achieve the storage target of 15 percent of average annual consumption by the fixed date of 1 December. Instead, a time window from 1 October to 1 December applies for the years 2026 and 2027. This regulation corresponds to EU requirements and is intended to reduce procurement costs for gas customers. The supply assurance ordinance, in force since May 2022, has been extended multiple times and remains valid until September 2028.
Persons
- Swiss Federal Council (collective decision; government institution)
Topics
- Energy security
- Natural gas supply
- Regulatory flexibilization
- Cost savings
Clarus Lead
The flexibilization of the storage deadline addresses a central cost problem of the previous regulation: the fixed December date forced network operators to make purchases at unfavorable times. With the new two-month window, they can capitalize on market opportunities and reduce price volatility – an advantage for end customers. The alignment with EU standards also signals regulatory harmonization in the gas sector and creates planning certainty beyond 2027.
Detailed Summary
The supply assurance ordinance has obligated Swiss regional network operators since its introduction in May 2022 to store at least 15 percent of average annual consumption in foreign gas storage facilities. This regulation was created in response to supply risks and has since been extended four times. The current decision from 15 October 2025 secures the ordinance until the end of September 2028.
The central problem of the previous version lay in its rigidity: the fixed compliance date of 1 December allowed no flexibility in gas procurement. Network operators had to complete their purchases regardless of market conditions by this deadline, which led to additional costs. With the new time window (1 October to 1 December), procurement managers can act more strategically and better manage price volatility. This adjustment corresponds to EU regulations and thus also reduces regulatory divergences between the Swiss and European gas markets.
Key Statements
- Federal Council relaxes fixed storage target deadline in favor of a two-month time window (1 October – 1 December)
- Change applies from 1 June 2026 for the years 2026 and 2027
- Goal: cost savings through more flexible procurement planning for Swiss gas customers
- Alignment with EU standards strengthens regulatory consistency
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What specific cost savings are expected through the flexible time window, and on what market data is this estimate based?
Conflicts of Interest: Do individual regional network operators benefit disproportionately from the flexibility, or is the distributional effect uniform?
Causality/Alternatives: Was it considered to lower the storage target itself (15 percent) rather than just flexibilize the deadline, and if not, why not?
Feasibility/Risks: Can network operators achieve the target even under unfavorable market conditions in October/November, and what sanctions apply if they fail?
Source Validity: How was the EU regulation analyzed to ensure Swiss compatibility?
Side Effects: Could the flexible window lead to delays in storage buildup and thus increase supply risks in winter?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Statement by the Swiss Federal Council on the Amendment to the Natural Gas Supply Assurance Ordinance – 15.04.2026
Legal Basis: SR 531.82 - Ordinance of 18 May 2022 on the Assurance of Supply Capacity in the Event of a Severe Shortage in Natural Gas Supply – Fedlex
Verification Status: ✓ 15.04.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 15.04.2026