The Federal Council's Hydrogen Strategy 2050 is an important step towards the energy transition and the achievement of Switzerland's net-zero target. It sets clear framework conditions and calls for innovation and international cooperation. What does this mean in concrete terms and how can cross-ING support companies on this path?
With our Competence Centres, we at cross-ING can support you in making the transition to the hydrogen age. On the regulatory side, we navigate potential applications for subsidies for you. On the technical side, our cross-ING engineers will support you in the realisation of your hydrogen and power-to-X projects. Do you have a project or an idea? Contact us - to help you shape the future of energy supply. Discuss your hydrogen plans with us and benefit from our expertise.
The Federal Council publishes its hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) strategy up to 2050:
The Federal Council wants to set framework conditions for the development of a hydrogen market. This is aimed at necessary regulatory initiatives following consultation with industry.
An important point is the connection to the European hydrogen network (‘European Hydrogen Backbone’), as it assumes that a large proportion of hydrogen will be imported by 2050.
Switzerland should become a centre of education and innovation in these areas.
Financial support is to be realised with existing funds, primarily by means of the Climate and Innovation Act (KIG).
Primary areas of application:
High-temperature process heat
Peak load coverage in combined heat and power plants (CHP)
Transport (aviation, shipping and heavy goods transport)
In response to motions 20.4406 («Grüne Wasserstoffstrategie für die Schweiz») and 22.3376 («Strategie für Wasserstoff in der Schweiz»), the Federal Council adopted its hydrogen strategy on 13 December 2024. The scope is important here, because it is not just about hydrogen, but also about all Power-to-X (PtX) derivatives. The criterion for synthetic energy sources is that they do not cause any greenhouse gas emissions. For example, hydrogen produced from fossil electricity is not included in the new strategy, while synthetic paraffin produced from solar energy for air transport is included in the strategy.
Strategy goals
This strategy attempts to define the use of synthetic energy sources such as hydrogen and PtX derivatives in various areas up to the year 2050. As in other economic areas, the Federal Council considers itself primarily responsible for setting the right framework conditions. To this end, statutory regulations should be regularly reviewed and adapted where necessary. Funding for the development of a hydrogen market is only envisaged within the existing funding framework. This mainly includes the Climate and Innovation Act (KIG) of 2023. The motivation for establishing a hydrogen and PtX economy is to achieve the net-zero target for greenhouse gas emissions. Due to their price, PtX derivatives should primarily be used where it makes economic sense or where alternatives are not available: in high-temperature process heat, for peak load coverage in combined heat and power plants (CHP) and in transport (aviation, shipping and heavy goods transport).
Prospects up to 2035 and 2050
The Federal Council divides market and technology development into two phases. The biggest difference between the two phases is the origin of the PtX derivatives. As the connection to the European market will still take some time, demand will be covered by domestic production in the coming years. A hydrogen infrastructure is expected to be available from 2035. This is because it is also assumed that PtX derivatives can be produced more cheaply abroad.
International Cooperation
As a consequence, the Federal Council is seeking international cooperation to ensure the supply of hydrogen. The first priority is to hold talks with neighbours Germany, France and Italy as well as the European Union in order to ensure connection to the ‘European Hydrogen Backbone’. In a further step, contracts are then to be concluded with manufacturers to ensure imports from 2035.
Significance for the energy supply in winter
In contrast to the Auslegeordnung des Bundesrats, energy storage of excess production in summer for use in winter is no longer categorically ruled out. Last year, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) still assumed that such storage in summer and utilisation in winter could not be operated profitably. In terms of potential storage facilities, the construction of which should at least be evaluated, this aspect should also be taken into account if it makes economic sense.
Switzerland as a pioneer in research and development
Even if hydrogen and PtX derivatives are only to be used in a few sectors in the overall mix, the Federal Council is aiming to play a leading role in these technologies. In addition to being used in Switzerland itself, these can also represent valuable technologies that are marketed abroad by Swiss companies.
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