Federal Office of Energy

Federal Office of Energy
(in German) Bundesamt für Energie
(in French) Office fédéral de l'énergie
(in Italian) Ufficio federale dell'energia
Agency overview
JurisdictionFederal administration of Switzerland
Headquarters
Employees324
Annual budgetCHF 100m, with CHF 1.3 planned revenue (2022)
Minister responsible
Parent agency
Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
Websitewww.bfe.admin.ch

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is the federal government office for energy supply and use. It is part of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). The SFOE works on energy security, efficiency and renewable energy. It also sets safety standards, supports the electricity and gas markets, works to reduce CO2 emissions and coordinates national energy research. As of January 2025, it had 345 employees and a budget of CHF 104 million. It also managed a grid surcharge fund of CHF 1.3 billion.

Energy Strategy 2050

Switzerland's Energy Strategy 2050 sets out the country’s long-term energy policy. It includes the decision not to replace existing nuclear power plants when they reach the end of their service life. The SFOE is responsible for carrying out this strategy with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The office sets rules for the energy use of household appliances, consumer electronics, light bulbs, and electric motors. It also supports the development of renewable energy such as hydropower, solar, and wind. Other areas of work include the power grid, energy research, and international cooperation.

Energy research

Energy research forms part of Switzerland’s energy policy. The federal government provides about CHF 200 million each year for research into energy supply technology. The Swiss Federal Energy Research Commission (CORE) updates the federal energy research plan every four years. The plan is also used by local authorities and research institutions. It priorities include international cooperation and putting research outcomes into practice.

Full-time positions since 2001

full-time positionsyear0501001502002503002001200520092013201720212025full-time positionsfull-time positions SFOE
Raw data

Sources:
"Federal Finance Administration FFA: State financial statements". Retrieved 27 March 2026.
"Federal Finance Administration FFA: Data portal". Retrieved 27 March 2026.

References

  1. 1 2 3 SFOE, Swiss Federal Office of Energy. "Swiss Federal Office of Energy". www.bfe.admin.ch. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  2. 1 2 3 "Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE". Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Energy Research Program (Swiss Federal Office of Energy)". International Energy Agency. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

46°58′25″N 7°28′48″E / 46.97361°N 7.48000°E / 46.97361; 7.48000