Pumped storage hydropower plant Linth-Limmern

Los A2, hydroelectric power stations.

Project

The 'Linthal 2015' project is intended to increase the capacity of the Linth Limmern hydroelectric power station. Hydro-energy production to be increased from 480 MW to 1,480 MW. For this purpose, impressive underground structures were constructed in the midst of the Alps, between 1,500 and 2,500 metres above sea level: over 4 km of tunnels with an excavation volume of approx. 550'000 m3, two pressure shafts, a surge chamber, a turbine cavern and a transformer cavern with a ridge height of more than 50 m and containing 4 machine groups. Under demanding climatic conditions, difficult access and extremely difficult logistical and environmental conditions, the powerplant was built into the rock massif of the Quintner Formation (Quinter limestone). Pini Swiss Engineers, together with KBM Engineers SA, are involved as an engineering consortium in project design and technical construction supervision.

Technical data

• Geodetic head: ca. 710 m
• Junction tunnel: 4'000 m
• Transformer cavern: 79'000 m3
• Turbine cavern: 124'000 m3
• Total excavation volume: 550'000 m3

Costs

Ca. CHF 500 Mio.

Timeline

2007–2016

Clients

Axpo AG, Baden

Services

• Tender design
• Construction design
• Implementation