New pumped storage power plant in Kaprun: A step to the future of energy

New pumped storage power plant in Kaprun: A step to the future of energy

in Kaprun, a charming place in Pinzgau, the sub -state electricity group is planning to build a new pumped storage power plant called "PSW Schaufelberg". This planned investment amounts to around 600 million euros and is said to be an important step in the further development of the energy infrastructure in Austria. In a press release published on Thursday, the company announced that the power plant with an output of 480 MW, similar to the existing works Limberg II and III, was largely built underground.

A crucial element of this project is the environmental impact assessment that is necessary before the construction can begin. According to the Verbund, the corresponding documents should be submitted in mid -2025. This step is necessary to evaluate the project's ecological footprint and ensure that it is in line with the environmental regulations.

integration into the energy transition

Verbund sees the PSW Schaufelberg as an essential component in the transformation of the energy system. It is expected that the combination of this new pumped storage power plant and the existing systems in the region - such as the pumping stores of the Kapruner Oberstufe and Limberg II and III - will contribute to the stability of the power grids in Austria. Verbund-CEO Michael Strugl also emphasizes that a doubling of electricity consumption in Austria can be expected by 2040 and that the generation capacity must be almost tripled in order to cover this demand. A large part of the additional current is from renewable energies.

"Pumped storage take on an indispensable task for ensuring the network stability and for the safe supply of Austria with clean electricity," said Strugl. Therefore, the company plans to invest almost one billion euros in the modernization and renewal of the existing hydropower plants in Kaprun in addition to the 600 million euros for the Schaufelberg PSW.

modernization of the existing systems

As part of this comprehensive project, which is known as "Kaprun 2029", the water usage rights for the Kaprun power plant group must be renewed by 2029. This requires that the current state of the art for all affected investment components are detected. The pressure tunnels of the Kaprun main level built in the 1940s and 1950s are also completely rebuilt. The work on it has already started and should be completed by the deadline in 2029.

An important building block of the project is the planned new drive water path, which will run from the Limberg to the existing slide chamber in Maiskogel. From the beginning of 2025, building a new tunnel of almost nine kilometers will begin - and mostly underground. This infrastructure is crucial to effectively control the water flows and to meet the ecological requirements in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, including the swallow-sunk reduction and improve fish passability in the Kapruner Ache.

The establishment of a new swallow compensation basin in Kotting insoles enables the drive water to be returned separately from the operation of the power plants to the Salzach, which further promotes ecological requirements.

With these planned measures, the network is optimistic that the PSW Schaufelberg not only contributes to increasing energy production, but also offers significant ecological benefits by making the existing water use more efficient and sustainable. The entirety of these projects is intended to ensure that Kaprun and its surroundings continue to play a key role in the energy supply of Austria.

For further information on the future development of the PSW Schaufelberg and the associated projects, a look at the detailed report on Energynewsmagazine.at recommended.