CKW granted permission for Waldemme power plant
Lucerne - Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (CKW) is investing around 13 million Swiss francs in the new Waldemme hydroelectric power plant. The cantonal government has approved the licence and construction application.
The cantonal government of the canton of Lucerne has given the green light to CKW for the construction of the Waldemme power plant, further details of which can be found in a press release issued by the utilities provider. For CKW, the hydroelectric project will perfectly complement the expansion of its solar power activities. “With hydroelectric power, we can then also produce energy when the sun isn’t shining, strengthening energy supplies over the winter in the process”, comments Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW, in the press release.
The headquarters of the new power plant will be built in front of the Lammschlucht gorge near the Chrutacherbrücke bridge. A pressure pipe measuring 2.1 kilometers in length connects the new facility with the hamlet of Matzenbach in Flühli to transport water. Clean Waldemme electricity will be produced as early as spring 2023. The planned production output is sufficient to supply a total of 1,500 average four-person households.
The new power plant will also help the canton of Lucerne achieve its climate goals. By 2030, the share of renewable energies should reach at least 30 percent. “The Waldemme power plant will exploit the largest as yet untapped hydroelectric power potential in the canton of Lucerne and in so doing play a major part in achieving the specified goals”, the cantonal government explains in the press release.
While it is true that the canton rejected objections raised by environmental associations in approving the license application, CKW has pointed out that the Lammschlucht gorge will not be harmed by the construction project. This was not the case in the original planning. In addition, a heavily built-up section of the Waldemme measuring just under 2 kilometers will be made accessible to fish again.
