2.2 MW Solar Power Plant On Swiss Dam Secures PPA

Swiss Energy Suppliers Axpo & IWB To Develop 2.2 MW ‘Largest’ Alpine Solar Plant In Switzerland; Project Secures 20-Year Power Purchase Agreement With Discount Supermarket Chain Denner

2.2 MW Solar Power Plant On Swiss Dam Secures PPA

Axpo and IWB who are collaborating for the 2.2 MW AlpinSolar project on Muttsee Dam in Switzerland (in the picture artist’s impression of the project when complete), blame the lack of regulatory policy for the project being not really 'economically feasible.' However, they are hopeful it will generate discussion around the topic as they go ahead with it. (Photo Credit: Axpo)

  • Axpo and IWB have secured Denner as the corporate offtaker for 2.2 MW AlpinSolar Cooperative Project in Switzerland
  • It will be constructed 2,500 metres above sea level on Muttsee Dam which will ensure the project delivers plenty of electricity even during winters
  • Close to 5,000 solar modules will ensure the project generates 3.3 million kWh annually on completion

Switzerland is set to become home to a 2.2 MW solar power plant to be built on the Muttsee Dam which will make it the ‘largest’ alpine solar plant in the country, claim 2 local energy suppliers Axpo and IWB. To be developed sans state subsidies, the project has secured discount supermarket chain Denner as the offtaker for a 20-year period.

The AlpinSolar Cooperative Project has IWB as 49% stakeholder with its subsidiary Planeco constructing the plant. It will supply ‘plenty’ of renewable electricity –  around 3.3 million kWh annually to be precise – with the help of almost 5,000 solar modules, especially in winters because of its high altitude location. Project will be constructed 2,500 metres above sea level on the Muttsee Dam, part of the Limmern pumped storage plant.

Compared to AlpinSolar, solar power plants at a lower altitude, Axpo says, only produce around a quarter of their electricity production during winters.

“Unfortunately, the lack of a regulatory framework means that this type of plant is barely economically feasible, as is the case with this project. Nevertheless, we have chosen to carry out this flagship project with our exceptional partners to make a statement and push Switzerland’s energy transformation a step further,” said Axpo CEO Christoph Brand, who added, “We also see the project as an important contribution to the discussion around the forthcoming legislative amendment.”

Axpo had secured clearance from local authorities for the project in 2020 while aiming to have it accorded Lighthouse Project status from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) (see Axpo Secures Permit For Alpine Solar Plant).

Soon after Axpo announced the AlpinSolar project in 2020, municipal electric utility EWZ said it will construct a 410 kW solar project at Albigna Dam in Bergell, Switzerland (see Swiss Municipal Electric Utility Planning Alpine Solar Plant).

About The Author

Anu Bhambhani

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Anu is our solar news whirlwind. At TaiyangNews, she covers everything that is of importance in the world of solar power. In the past 9 years that she has been associated with TaiyangNews, she has covered over thousands of stories, and analysis pieces on markets, technology, financials, and more on a daily basis. She also hosts TaiyangNews Conferences and Webinars. Prior to joining TaiyangNews, Anu reported on sustainability, management, and education for leading print dailies in India. [email protected]

Subscribe To Newsletter


Latest Videos

Loading...