Forbach pumped storage power plant
Expansion concept for nature conservation and environmental protection
More powerful pumped storage power plants are good for climate and environmental protection. They conserve valuable raw materials, reduce CO₂ emissions (e.g. by storing excess electricity from wind power and avoiding conventional generation in windless periods through refeeding), and help to avoid emissions. On the other hand, an infrastructure project such as the expansion of the Rudolf-Fettweis Plant represents a considerable encroachment on nature.
But one thing is for sure: In all our considerations, special attention is paid to the protected areas from the Forbacher Murgtal to the Schwarzwaldgrinden. We work closely together with experts to minimise interventions and create a suitable balance. Whether water protection areas or areas for nature conservation, landscape management, and forestry – with detailed environmental impact studies, EnBW devotes great attention to these important concerns. The expansion of the Rudolf-Fettweis Plant is intended to stand for holistic thinking and sustainable action in every respect.
Even though many questions can only be answered in the context of further project development, the following statements are already certain:
- No additional overhead line route is required (i.e. neither new transmission towers nor additional power lines are required).
- Extensive compensatory measures suitable to compensate for the interference with the flora and fauna are to be planned.
- The new water pipes, the power plant, and the new water reservoir will be laid underground. Nothing will be visible after the end of the work.
- In addition, in all its projects, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG attaches great importance to keeping the drawbacks that occur during a construction period (e.g. construction noise or construction site traffic) as low as possible for residents.