The Swiss Gas Industry Association (VSG) was looking for support in developing a strategy to decarbonise the gas supply efficiently and safely by 2050. In doing so, a robust strategic approach, i.e. one that is as independent as possible of the external framework conditions, was advantageous. An important part of this reorientation was the promotion of green hydrogen, taking into account a secure and affordable energy supply.

This study showed with which strategies the gas industry can best achieve these objectives. For this purpose, a range of possible future developments in the form of scenarios and external framework conditions has been drawn up in order to achieve options for action to achieve the decarbonisation goal. These options for action have been evaluated in terms of economic viability, feasibility, acceptance, etc. and then combined into 2 to 3 strategy variants with which the goal of decarbonisation can be achieved with system-serving use of the energy carrier gas. Depending on the scenarios and the robustness of the strategy, a preferable strategy variant has been selected and recommended with justification.

The primary objective of the study was to answer the question of which strategy and measures VSG can use to decarbonise Switzerland’s gas supply by 2050. In doing so, a secure and affordable gas supply must be ensured. Specific sub-objectives were a presentation of the initial situation for gas supply, a detailed description of scenarios, a derivation of modular options for action and the formulation and evaluation of strategy variants. In this way, the client received recommendations for action and defined measures for achieving the goals.