Security, resilience and sustainability in energy law: USI hosts the annual SELA workshop

On Friday 28 August, USI will host the 2026 Annual Workshop of the Swiss Energy Law Association (SELA), organised in collaboration with the Center for Law and Sustainability at the University of Lucerne. The encounter will offer an opportunity to discuss the transformations in energy law in light of the new demands for security, resilience and sustainability affecting Switzerland and the European Union.

The event will bring together scholars, regulatory authorities, practitioners and energy sector representatives to analyse the main challenges posed by the current geopolitical, economic and climate context. The sessions will focus particularly on the latest developments in climate litigation, nuclear energy, energy system storage and flexibility, and gas supply security: themes set to play an increasingly significant role in the evolution of energy regulation.

Among the guest speakers, the workshop will feature Werner Luginbühl, President of the  Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom), who will offer a reflection on new perspectives on Swiss energy law and policy in a rapidly evolving European context. His contribution will enrich the dialogue between academia, institutions and industry operators.

The event will be held in English. Registration at this link by Friday, 21 August.

PROGRAMME 

10:30-11:00 - Welcome Coffee

11:00-11:15 - Welcome Remarks

• Prof Ilaria Espa, USI and SELA Secretary General
• Prof Thomas Cottier, World Trade Institute, University of Bern and SELA President
• Prof Sebastian Heselhaus, University of Lucerne and CLS Director

11:15-12:30 - Panel I - Climate Litigation and the Energy Transition

Moderator: Prof Ilaria Espa, USI and SELA Secretary General

Speakers:

• Prof Sebastian Heselhaus, University of Lucerne and CLS Director
• Prof Angus Johnston, Oxford University 
• Prof Thomas Cottier, World Trade Institute, University of Bern and SELA President

12:30-13:30 - Lunch

13:30-14:15 - Keynote Address - Mr Werner Luginbühl, President, ElCom: The Future of Swiss Energy Law and Policy in a Changing European Landscape

14:15-15:15 - Panel II - Nuclear Energy and the Future of Swiss Energy Policy

Moderator: Kateryna Holzer, UEF and SELA

Speakers:

• Adv Pascal Hachem, Bär & Karrer
• Adv Lukas Mühle, GW Innovations GmbH
• Prof Kim Fyhr, University of Eastern Finland

15:15 - 15:45 - Coffee Break

15:45 - 16:45 - Panel III - Battery Storage, Flexibility and Energy Infrastructure

Moderator: Dr Moritz Wüstenberg, Streamtech Solutions AG and SELA

Speakers:

• Adv Louise Kovacs, 50Hertz
• Dr Rolf Endriss, AEM Massagno
• Adv Riccardo Albieri, DXT Commodities

16:45 - 17:45 - Panel IV - Security of Gas Supply

Moderator: Prof Thomas Cottier, World Trade Institute, University of Bern

• Prof Kim Talus, UEF and University of Helsinki
• Adv Matteo Quadranti, Studio Legale Quadranti & Molteni, Member of Gran Consiglio
• Adv Brigitta Kratz, Kratz Legal

17:45 - 18:00 - Concluding Remarks

• Prof Ilaria Espa, USI and SELA Secretary General
• Prof Thomas Cottier, World Trade Institute, University of Bern and SELA President
• Prof Sebastian Heselhaus, University of Lucerne and CLS Director