ewz plans large-scale, high-alpine solar plants in Graubünden
ewz is pushing ahead with the expansion of solar power production: the city council has approved one-off expenditure for the development of a preliminary and construction project near the Savognin ski resort in Graubünden. Solar power is also to be produced in the Splügen-Tambo area in future.
ewz can plan further large-scale solar plants in the canton of Graubünden. With an annual production of around 93 gigawatt hours (GWh), it should be possible to supply up to 58,000 households with renewable energy in the future. In this way, ewz is making an important contribution to increasing security of supply and achieving the net-zero targets.
These projects are also important for achieving the goals of the federal government’s Energy Strategy 2050. Thanks to the “Federal Act on Urgent Measures for the Short-Term Provision of a Secure Electricity Supply in Winter” (amendment to the Energy Act), the prerequisites for the rapid expansion of such PV ground-mounted systems with high winter production were first created.
Municipality of Surses, Savognin site
The city council has approved new one-off expenditure of CHF 1.7 million for a preliminary and construction project for a high-alpine photovoltaic (PV) plant in Val Nandro above Savognin. Ewz can now plan a large-scale PV plant on several areas adjacent to the Savognin ski area. The results of the preliminary and construction project will then serve as the basis for the investment decision on the part of ewz, which will probably be the responsibility of the town council.
PV modules are also planned for areas west of Piz Curvér. Approval of the project planning costs for these areas is the responsibility of the head of the Department of Industrial Operations.
In total, depending on the implementation variant, up to 80 GWh of solar electricity could be produced annually for around 50,000 households on the above-mentioned areas in the municipality of Surses. The construction projects will be submitted to the municipality of Surses and the landowners for approval. The municipality, the landowners and Savognin Bergbahnen support the projects.
Municipality of Rheinwald, Splügen-Tambo site
Independently of the plans in the municipality of Surses,ewz is continuing to push ahead with the expansion of high-alpine solar plants. On the Tanatzhöhi in the Splügen-Tambo winter sports area in the municipality of Rheinwald, ewz is also starting a preliminary and construction project for a high-alpine PV plant. Depending on the implementation variant, it could produce up to 13 GWh of solar power annually for around 8,000 households. Approval of the project costs is the responsibility of the head of the Department of Industrial Operations.
Councillor Baumer: “Expand own productionin Switzerland”
The large-scale solar plants in the municipalities of Surses and Rheinwald are planned in areas that are already developed in terms of infrastructure. The areas concerned are not located in any national or local protected areas. A dual use with alpine farming and electricity generation is envisaged.
Michael Baumer, councillor and head of the Department of Industrial Operations, explains: “In order to increase energy security and at the same time achieve the net zero targets, the expansion of sustainable electricity production is central.” Alongside hydro and wind power, solar energy is an important pillar of sustainable electricity generation, he says. Councillor Baumer: “In terms of PV expansion, we are concentrating on properties on city territory, Switzerland-wide sites as well as high alpine sites. The projects in the municipalities of Surses and Rheinwald are important building blocks for expanding renewable energy production domestically and further increasing the security of supply in winter.”
Pioneering high-alpine plants are already running at full speed
ewz already has two large-scale high-alpine solar plants in operation. They produce solar electricity at the Albigna dam in Bergell and at the dam on Lago di Lei. Both plants meet expectations, especially in terms of high electricity production in winter. Around 50% of the electricity is produced in the winter half-year. In addition, it is confirmed that 25% more energy can be produced on an annual average at a high alpine location than in the Central Plateau.