Swiss Government Plans Mandatory Sabotage Defenses for Energy Operators

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy is preparing legislation to legally mandate energy operators to strengthen physical and electromagnetic defenses against sabotage and drone attacks. Under the proposed framework, private companies will bear primary responsibility for protecting power plants, dams, and electrical grids, while direct enforcement and air defense remain reserved for state authorities.

According to the Federal Office of Energy, the measure responds to an increased threat landscape targeting critical infrastructure. Nadia Bohli, speaking for the office, stated that operators must be equipped to handle events ranging from vandalism to major incidents such as fires, though police intervention or military support may still be required in severe cases.

The Association of Swiss Electricity Enterprises welcomed the initiative to establish clear boundaries of responsibility. Thomas Marti, head of networks, digitalisation, and security at the association, noted that the heightened risk profile necessitates unambiguous regulatory guidelines for facility protection.

Several members of the Swiss parliament have called for granting infrastructure operators additional defensive powers, including the deployment of interceptor drones and signal jammers. Currently, facility employees who observe suspicious aerial devices are legally restricted from shooting down aircraft or detaining operators, leaving them reliant on reporting incidents to local police forces.

Security researcher Ivo Capaul expressed caution regarding widespread corporate air defense, highlighting high procurement costs, the need for specialised personnel, legal ambiguities, and potential risks of collateral damage. He noted that expanded powers could be sensible for particularly vulnerable sites, but comprehensive coverage across all installations presents significant operational challenges.

The shift toward increased corporate responsibility follows official assessments of military limitations. In defense guidelines issued in May 2026, the Federal Council stated that while the Swiss Armed Forces can protect specific regions like the Mittelland or selected high-priority assets over several weeks, the military lacks sufficient resources to simultaneously defend all energy supply installations at the same security level.

Written by Martina Kirchner martina.kirchner@alpineweekly.com