Kaprun is investing 600 million euros in a new pumped storage power plant

Kaprun is investing 600 million euros in a new pumped storage power plant

in Kaprun is an important development in the field of renewable energies. The energy group Verbund plans to build a new pumped storage power plant that will bear the name "PSW Schaufelberg". This ambitious project includes investments of around 600 million euros and is to be implemented as part of the modernization measures for the water usage rights of the Kaprun power plant.

The goal of the new pumped storage power plant is to increase the efficiency of the existing energy supply and thus make a decisive contribution to the energy transition in Austria. Verbund-CEO Michael Strugl emphasized that the electricity consumption is expected to increase drastically by 2040, which requires almost three times an increase in generation capacity. The focus is on renewable energies in which pumped stores will play an indispensable role.

Details about the project

The PSW Schaufelberg is mainly built underground, similar to the existing systems Limberg II and III. It is said to have an output of 480 MW and lie in the mountain at a height of 700 meters. The new engine tunnel, an important component, will be over 6 kilometers long and have a diameter of 5.8 meters. It will transport the water directly to the power plants.

A central element of the project is the gush compensation basin in the Kottingessen district, which will serve to adapt the return of the drive water to the Salzach ecologically. This is particularly important because it will significantly reduce the current surge and sunk pollution of the Kapruner Ache and thus meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.

For the implementation, large investments and extensive work are necessary, but the positive effects on the natural balance and the efficiency of the energy supply are in the foreground. In early 2025, the construction work for the new drive water path between the Limberg sliding chamber and the Maiskogel begins.

In addition, it is necessary to renew the existing water usage rights before it expires in 2029. The state of the art of all affected plant parts must be proven to ensure environmentally friendly energy winnings.

The entire initiative to establish the PSW Schaufelberg underlines the continuous efforts of the association to find sustainable solutions for energy supply in Austria. Further information about the planned steps is also in a current report on www.meinbezirk.at to be found.