Switzerland drafts a law obliging energy operators to protect power plants and dams against drones and sabotage

The Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is drafting a legal basis that would require energy companies to take "appropriate protective measures" against physical and electromagnetic threats, the office confirmed on Monday, 9 November, to the Keystone-SDA news agency. The story was first reported by the daily Blick, which cited internal documents of the federal administration.

What is being prepared. According to the SFOE, there is currently no detailed regulation on the physical protection of energy infrastructure, and the new text is meant to close these gaps. The office stresses that this is not about giving companies more powers: the monopoly on the use of force remains with state authorities. Operators may reinforce buildings, install sensors and protective nets or keep spare parts in reserve, but they have no right to shoot down a suspicious aircraft or detain people; when they spot a drone, all they can do is call the police.

The threats. The Federal Council considers sabotage and air attacks on critical infrastructure the most likely threat scenarios for Switzerland. For facilities such as nuclear power plants and dams, the SFOE lists drones, anti-tank rocket launchers and arson. The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) told Blick that its members have limited options against drones or other military threats.

The army's role. The Defence Department (DDPS) has rejected the idea that the army should protect all electricity facilities. In its defence guidelines of May 2026, the Federal Council states that the army could defend a region such as the Swiss Plateau and individual sites for weeks, but that simultaneous protection of all power-supply sites at the same level would not be possible with its resources. Primary responsibility therefore remains with the operators.

What comes next. The draft law is still being prepared and has no announced timetable. Parliament has already called for operators to be allowed to use interceptor drones or jammers in an emergency. It remains unclear who intervenes and who coordinates the response to incidents below the threshold of war; the National Council's security policy committee has called for a national reporting point for drone sightings.

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