Switzerland plans tougher security duties for energy operators

Switzerland plans to require energy companies by law to protect their facilities against physical and electromagnetic threats, SRF reports. Operators would be allowed to take protective measures but would not receive police powers.

Nuclear power plants, dams and electricity grids could be targeted by sabotage or drone attacks, the federal government says. Operators already bear primary responsibility for protecting energy infrastructure, but there are no detailed legal requirements for physical security. The Federal Office of Energy is now working on a legal basis to introduce them.

The office says responsibility for the use of force would remain with state authorities. Police and the military would continue to handle drone defence. Operators should be able to respond to incidents ranging from vandalism to fires, although police protection or military support could still be needed.

The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies welcomes the plans, saying the threat has increased and responsibilities must be clearly defined. Some parliamentarians want electricity providers to be allowed to use interceptor drones or jammers in emergencies. Companies currently cannot shoot down suspicious flying objects or detain their operators; staff who spot a drone can only call the police.

Security researcher Ivo Capaul supports giving more powers to operators of particularly vulnerable infrastructure, but cautions against widespread drone defences. Such systems are expensive, require trained staff and could cause collateral damage if a drone is shot down. Legal uncertainties are another obstacle.

The plans also reflect the military’s limited capacity. The armed forces may in future be able to protect regions such as the Swiss Plateau and individual sites from air attacks for weeks, but cannot protect every electricity supply location at the same level at once, according to government defence guidelines issued in May 2026.