Energie Electrique du Simplon is investing CHF 20 million in the comprehensive refurbishment of the Tannuwald hydropower plant in the Swiss canton of Valais. The seven machine groups, which were commissioned in 1981, are being replaced by two new, more powerful groups. The first group, consisting of a Pelton turbine, a generator and a ball valve, is currently being installed. The transformers and power lines are also being replaced.
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OKCapacity increase of the Tannuwald hydropower plant
The 2.8 kilometre pressure line connecting the Fah equalising reservoir with the power plant was already completely overhauled in the summer of 2019. This increased the capacity from 2.1 m3 to 2.7 m3 of water per second. The only part of the power plant that will be retained is the shell of the building, the height of which will, however, be increased by 2.6 metres.
The power plant is scheduled to resume operation in June 2020. The new systems will increase the power plant’s output from 5.8 to 6.8 MW. In future, the plant will generate approximately 22 GWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to an increase of 4 GWh, equivalent to the electricity generated by a large wind turbine.
Continuous investments
The shareholders of Energie Electrique du Simplon – Alpiq (81.9%), EnAlpin (10.8%), EWBN (3%), FMV (2.7%) and private shareholders (1.6%) – are continuously investing in the various plants in order to ensure efficient and productive operations over the long term. In 2017, EES already modernised the Gondo hydropower plant. Starting in 2021, also the Gabi power plant will be upgraded and its machines replaced in order to increase its capacity. The modernisation measures at the EES power plants are geared towards optimising the utilisation of the potential of hydropower and are thus in line with the Swiss federal Energy Strategy 2050.
Tannuwald – one of three power plants in the Simplon region
The Tannuwald hydropower plant is a part of the hydropower complex Simplon belonging to Energie Electrique du Simplon. It is located in the Zwischbergental valley and utilises the waters from the Fah reservoir situated at an altitude of 1759 metres. The complex also includes the Gondo and Gabi power plants and the Eggen and Sera reservoirs.
After the recommissioning of the refurbished Tannuwald power plant, EES will operate with a total capacity of 75.8 MW and generate 243 million kWh of electricity per year on average, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of some 60,000 households.
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