EWN dispenses with alpine solar plants
The Nidwalden cantonal electricity utility (EWN) will not be pursuing projects for the construction of alpine solar plants. The company has examined two possible locations. The steep terrain poses too great a challenge for the construction and financing of the plants.
The Nidwalden cantonal electricity utility(EWN) has examined a total of six sites in its supply area for their suitability for the construction of alpine solar plants. In a first step, two sites were assessed as suitable in principle.
However, extensive investigations revealed that the steepness of the terrain at both sites posed particular challenges for the construction and financing of the plants, EWN writes in a press release. EWN refers to the pressure of the snow, avalanches, landslides and possible rockfalls. Possible protective measures would have been so expensive that the plants would no longer have been economically viable.
EWN has therefore decided not to pursue the two projects for the time being. Should the general conditions change, they could be reactivated.
Among other things, EWN operates the Dallenwil hydropower plant and a solar plant on the Stans country park. It also holds a stake in Repartner Produktions AG, a joint venture between Repower and other regional energy suppliers for joint participation in renewable energy projects.