Small Hydropower Plants
Alpiq acquired the four plants from Ziegler Papier AG in 2007, in so doing strengthening its declared commitment to "small" hydroelectric power plants. The volume of electricity generated corresponds to the average annual consumption of some 2,400 households.
The two small hydroelectric power stations belonging to Hydro-Solar Energie AG in the Swiss canton of Berne have a combine capacity 1 Megawatt and generate 5 GWh annually. With a consumption of 4500 kWh this equates to a supply of electricity for around 1100 households.
The Murkart small hydroelectric power plant in Frauenfeld was completely renovated in 2008 and now supplies electricity to around 450 households in the region. A brush-furnished fishway now enables fish to swim through the dam on their way upstream. By creating biotopes close to the dam, Alpiq has made an important contribution towards improving ...
Through its subsidiary Alpiq EcoPower, Alpiq has constructed a drinking water power station on an alp above the village of Riein. With 15 kW of power, it has been generating ecological electricity for 15 households since 2009. As a return service for the rights of use of this small hydroelectric power plant, Alpiq has installed the electricity ...
With an annual production of 2.4 million kWh, the small hydroelectric power plant in Rüti is able to meet the annual electricity needs of close to 500 households. Increased use of hydro power in small complementary power plants makes a welcome regional contribution to energy supplies, and is environmentally sustainable.
In conjunction with the renewal of the licence for the Lucendro power plant complex and the construction of a second pressure line to the Airolo power station, Alpiq built the Sella small hydro power station. Commissioned in October 1991, this power station uses the 100-meter difference in height between the Sella reservoir and Lake Lucendro.
In conjunction with the municipality of Splügen, Alpiq is building a new small hydroelectric station. The joint venture, Kraftwerk Tambobach AG, is investing around CHF 9 million in the project.
In the Grisons village of Trans, Alpiq EcoPower is involved in a drinking water power station through its shares in Entegra WK AG. The municipality of Trans is located at nearly 1400 metres above sea level in the district of Hinterrhein.Drop height: 290 metres
The three small hydroelectric power stations in the canton of Thurgau collectively produce 9.8 Gigawatt hours of electricity per year. The Model and Mühle power stations by the River Thur went into operation in 1942 and 1950 respectively. The Widen power station has been producing environmentally compatible electricity since 1989.
At the end of 2003 the old turbine generator group was replaced with a new machine at the cost of around CHF 1.2 million. The small hydro power station now generates some 60% more electricity than the old weir turbine. The volume of electricity produced meets the needs of around 480 households in the region.
