In line with Switzerland’s climate goals, the Swiss gas industry, organized within the Swiss Gas Industry Association (VSG), is pursuing the goal of a climate-neutral gas supply by 2050. The interim targets are to cover 15% of gas sales with renewable gases by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Hydrogen plays two roles in this: as a carbon-free alternative to natural gas, it can be used as a fuel primarily in centralized applications such as industry and thermal grids, and as a fuel in mobility. And as a seasonal energy storage medium, hydrogen makes energy from renewable solar or wind power available in the winter through electrolysis.
Hydrogen is a cross-border issue for the Swiss gas industry. As with natural gas supplies, Switzerland will be dependent on imports for substantial quantities of hydrogen. Cooperation with other countries is also an important issue with regard to hydrogen as an energy storage medium, as Switzerland does not have its own seasonal gas storage facilities. Integrated into the European gas grid, the conditions for Switzerland’s participation in the international hydrogen economy are promising.
A national hydrogen strategy for Switzerland was published by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy at the end of 2024.
As a member of various working groups and collaborations in the fields of research, politics, and business, and as a player in a national and international network, the VSG is at the forefront of hydrogen developments.