ewz abandons solar project above Splügen
ewz is halting the plans for a solar installation in the Splügen-Tambo ski area. The Zurich city energy provider is responding to reservations from the region's tourism sector. It aimed to generate around 12 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year on Tanatzhöhi.
ewz is not going ahead with its plans for a high-alpine solar plant on the Tanatzhöhi in the municipality of Rheinwald. According to a press release from the Zurich-based energy supplier, the plans had been pushed forward together with the municipal council. “Unfortunately, the key players and investors in tourism were increasingly vocal in their opposition to the Tambo-Solar project,” Philippe Heinzer, Head of ewz’s Energy division, is quoted as saying in the press release.
Municipal president Christian Simmen justifies the reservations with tourism projects to sustainably strengthen the regional economy. “A solar plant of this size is unfortunately not compatible with the planned future tourism plans.” However, Simmen leaves the door open for further cooperation with ewz. “We would welcome the opportunity to examine further solar potential in the municipality together with ewz.”
ewz wanted to build a plant with an annual production of up to 12 gigawatt hours at the Splügen-Tambo ski resort.
Voters in the Grisons municipality of Surses rejected a plant in Val Nandro in January. Ewz had planned a solar plant there with a production of 66 gigawatt hours per year.