New plans for technology centre in Laufenburg

The FlexBase Group is withdrawing its request for a preliminary decision on the construction of a new technology centre in Laufenburg. In order not to jeopardise the start of construction, an updated planning application respects the maximum height. However, FlexBase is demanding a change.

The FlexBase Group has decided to withdraw its planning application for a technology centre on the former Swissgrid site in Laufenburg. According to a press release, a total of around 350 jobs are to be created there. FlexBase expects to employ 100 to 150 people by the end of 2027 alone.

The centrepiece of the centre, which is to be built in collaboration with universities and companies, will be one of the largest large-scale battery storage facilities in the world with a capacity of at least 500 megawatts. It is to be built in a strategically favourable location directly next to the world’s largest electricity grid, the Laufenburg Star, and will contribute to the security of supply in Switzerland and parts of Europe. The technology centre will also house a data centre for artificial intelligence and a wind tunnel for research and development in the sports industry.

According to the press release, the company is now submitting an updated planning application. According to the information, it now respects the maximum height defined in the current building and utilisation regulations, “which is sufficient for the start of construction”. However, in view of the significance of the project, the applicant is requesting an increase in the permitted building height to 30 metres. In consultation with the Laufenburg town council, a partial amendment to the existing building and utilisation regulations for this construction perimeter, coordinated with the overall revision, has already been initiated.

“Despite the necessary step of updating our planning application, we remain confident that we will be able to realise our project within the planned timeframe,” says CEO and co-founder Marcel Aumer. He assumes that the overall revision will take into account the importance of such forward-looking projects for the region.