Switzerland has arranged a new gas supply option to bolster winter energy security, the Federal Office for Economic Supply (BWL) said on Thursday. The measure, named ITA.SWAPtion.26, provides access to gas flowing through the French-to-Italy transit pipeline if needed, covering roughly one-tenth of expected winter consumption.
The arrangement addresses low storage levels across the EU and broader uncertainty in global energy markets, according to the BWL. Switzerland relies entirely on gas imports, as it maintains no seasonal storage facilities of its own. The new option allows the country to tap transit flows specifically when imports from Germany are restricted.
ITA.SWAPtion.26 will be available from October 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, and primarily benefits industrial and commercial users, who are considered unprotected customers and would face curtailments earlier than households or hospitals in a severe gas shortage. The cost of securing the option is described as a low single-digit million figure, spread across all gas customers. For a typical single-family home with gas heating, the additional annual cost is estimated at 2 to 3 Swiss francs, while industrial users face higher but proportionally small increases relative to overall gas expenses.
Gas volumes are only paid for if the option is exercised. Regional gas network operators are responsible for implementation, having contracted Axpo and OpenEP to provide the service. The federal government emphasized that the measure is precautionary and does not indicate an imminent supply crisis.
Switzerland, Germany, and Italy have also activated a solidarity agreement to ensure protected customers, including hospitals, emergency services, and households, receive gas during severe shortages after exhausting domestic measures.
