Switzerland Braces For Winter As Gas Risks Mount

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Six months into the US-Iran war, Switzerland has avoided fuel shortages but faces sharply higher energy prices and growing concerns over winter gas supplies amid low EU storage levels. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: Switzerland braces for winter as gas risks mount This content was published on August 26, 2026 - 11:15 7 minutes

I am a climate and science/technology reporter. I am interested in the effects of climate change on everyday life and scientific solutions. Born in London, I am a dual citizen of Switzerland and the UK. After studying modern languages and translation, I trained as a journalist and joined swissinfo in 2006. My working languages are English, German, French and Spanish.

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While the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy markets, Swiss fuel imports remain secure. Attention is now shifting from supply availability to rising prices and the risk of a tighter European gas market this winter.

Swiss fuel supplies remain secure

Avenergy, the Swiss fuel importers' association, says the war has not disrupted Swiss fuel supplies.

“There has not been any kind of scarcity in the past six months due to the Iran war. Supply has always been and continues to be guaranteed,” Avenergy spokesperson Ueli Bamert told Swissinfo.

Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly a fifth of global oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) trade. Switzerland imports about 30% of its oil in crude form, mainly from the United States, Nigeria and North Africa, while most refined products, including petrol and diesel, come from EU countries.

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Bamert said Switzerland's limited reliance on Gulf crude had helped insulate supplies from the conflict.

As a safeguard against shortages, the Swiss government can also draw on mandatory stockpilesExternal link managed by the private sector under federal supervision. Strategic reserves can cover around four-and-a-half months of petrol, diesel and heating oil demand, and three months of kerosene consumption. These reserves were not released over the past six months, said Bamert.

Consumers face higher oil and fuel prices

Although oil markets have adjusted to the loss of Middle Eastern supplies, consumers are still paying more. Brent crude remains about 25% above its pre-war level at around $90 (CHF72) a barrel, while European diesel prices have surged by more than 70% since the conflict began.

In Switzerland, dieselExternal link averaged CHF2.27 ($2.82) per litre in late August, up 21% since late February, while unleaded petrol rose 17% to CHF2.02.

Road freight costs are already 15% higher than a year ago and are expected to remain elevated until the end of the year, according to the Geneva-based International Road Transport Union (IRU).

Heating oilExternal link, used in about 35% of Swiss buildingsExternal link, has also become more expensive. Prices rose from around CHF92 to CHF156 per 100 litres in April before easing and then climbing again to about CHF140 in late August.

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