Switzerland is considering building additional hydroelectric dams in response to a shortage of electricity in Europe, which has resulted in a price increase.
According to newspaper Le Matin Dimanche, which cited sources acquainted with the preparations, the Federal Office of Energy will meet to evaluate a new list of projects.
Switzerland, already one of the world’s largest hydropower generators, cautioned major industrial power consumers that, in order to avoid large-scale blackouts this winter, they may need to conserve energy. Due to a shortage of natural gas, power rates have increased across much of Europe in recent months.
The country is considering building concrete dams in the Swiss Alps that will use water reservoirs to drive turbines and generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide.
According to Le Matin Dimanche, one of the potential new dams is “Gornerli” near Zermatt, which might be 85 meters (278 feet) tall, 285 meters wide, and cost 250 million Swiss francs ($271 million) to build.
The proposed dam would be built in Zermatt, a ski resort town, and would face the famous Matterhorn mountain peak. The project is supported by energy company Alpiq AG and has the potential to power 150,000 households.
Despite the fact that the project is smaller than some of Switzerland’s current dams, such as the Grande Dixence, it is expected to be met with criticism from environmental groups, according to the newspaper. The project is located on territory that is protected by the federal government.
Switzerland produces adequate power in the summer thanks to hydroelectric dams, but must import power in the winter. According to the Swiss federal government, hydroelectric power accounts for around 57% of the country’s energy requirements.
According to the government, Switzerland has 677 hydro power plants, making it Europe’s fourth largest behind Norway, Austria, and Iceland.
