EWD and Swisspower plan alpine solar plant in the Persenn area

News-Sustainability-Today

Davos GR – EWD Elektrizitätswerk Davos AG is planning an alpine photovoltaic plant in the Parsenn ski area in cooperation with Swisspower. The construction measure is to be integrated into the existing mountain railway infrastructure in a way that protects the landscape. The population must give the green light so that construction work can start in 2024.

EWD Elektrizität Davos is investing in domestic electricity production with the planned construction of an alpine solar plant in the Parsenn region. This should lead to more independence from electricity imports, according to a media release.

The municipality of Davos and the public utility alliance Swisspower are participating in the planning. Other supporters are Energie Wasser Bern and the Basel energy supplier IWB, as well as Energie Thun AG. The annual production in full operation is estimated at 10 gigawatt hours, which corresponds to the electricity demand of 3,000 four-person households.

Totalp in the Parsenn area was chosen as the location for the photovoltaic plant. Due to its location in a skiing area with an existing mountain railway infrastructure, the village is well connected. He said the plans were made with consideration for valuable cultural and grazing land in the ski region. Electricity production in the immediate vicinity of consumers as well as chairlifts and gondola lifts reduces transport losses. In addition, the plant is shielded on the valley side, so that “no reflection or impairment for the population” is to be expected. Even before the power shortage, the sustainable energy future through photovoltaic systems in the mountains had been a topic in Davos. Compared to the Central Plateau, the region also benefits from many hours of sunshine in winter.

Following the approval of the Davos government, the project is to be debated in the Davos parliament at the beginning of November. Subsequently, the population votes. If the referendum is positive, construction work is scheduled to begin in 2024. The goal is to have the first parts of the plant operational by December 2025. ce/heg