Switzerland and Fossils: How Much Energy Dependence Weighs (cross-border guide)

Context

In short - 58% of the final energy consumed in Switzerland is of fossil origin. - Oil and gas remain pillars for transport, heating and industry. - On the other hand, national electricity production is almost totally renewable. - Energy security is guaranteed but a geopolitical vulnerability remains. ## Key facts - What: Dependence on fossil fuels in final energy consumption. - When: Data relating to 2024 and 2025. - Where: Swiss Confederation. - Who: Stéphane Genoud (HES-SO) and Khaldoun Dia-Eddine (ZHAW). - Amount: 58% of final energy consumption from fossil sources. Switzerland's dependence on fossil fuels is a topical issue in the national economic debate. Although Switzerland is recognized as a virtuous model for the production of electricity with low CO2 emissions, thanks to hydroelectric and nuclear power, the picture changes drastically if we analyse the overall final energy consumption. According to 2024 data, 58% of the energy used in the country still comes from fossil sources. This share includes petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil and aviation fuel, which cover 45.7% of the total, while natural gas accounts for 12.3%. Stéphane Genoud, professor of energy management at the Valais University of Applied Sciences (HES-SO), points out that the Swiss electricity system is relatively low in fossil fuels, but that the consumption

Operational details

Switzerland's energy security is currently considered 'above average', with a long-term supply of oil and gas that appears guaranteed in today's conditions. Khaldoun Dia-Eddine, geopolitical and economic analyst at the University of Applied Sciences Zurich (ZHAW), highlights a solid situation with regard to oil, thanks to geographically diversified suppliers and installations not directly affected by the ongoing conflicts. However, the landscape for natural gas is more complex. Unlike oil, Switzerland does not have large storage facilities and is structurally dependent on imports coming through neighbouring countries. Although there is no immediate risk of shortcomings, this configuration generates a political dependency that could prove critical in extreme scenarios. ### Supply Benchmarking The provenance of fossil fuels consumed in Switzerland shows a total dependence on foreign imports. For crude oil, in 2025 the main suppliers were the United States and Nigeria. As for refined products, such as gasoline and diesel, Switzerland mainly supplies itself from the markets of the European Union, which in turn imports from the United States, Norway and Saudi Arabia. Natural gas, whichalso comes through the EU, comes largely from Norway and Algeria, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) is purchased

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Key points

To understand how the energy situation affects your family or business budget, it is necessary to monitor the evolution of energy costs, which remain a decisive factor for anyone operating in Switzerland. Dependence on imports means that every variation in the price of crude oil on global markets is transmitted relatively quickly to pump prices and heating rates, impacting the cost of living in Ticino. For those managing a business or planning expenses related to cross-border mobility, understanding these mechanisms is essential. Financial planning should include a careful assessment of these variables, especially in a context where dependence on fossil fuels remains a constant of the national economic system.

Monitoring procedures and tools

Those wishing to delve into the impact of energy costs on their net income can use simulation tools to analyze their overall financial situation. It is advisable to constantly evaluate how rising energy costs may affect your purchasing power by comparing your income with the fixed and variable expenses that characterize life in the Ticino context. Despite the current reliability of supplies, price volatility remains an element to be carefully considered.

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