The weir of the Wannebode small hydroelectric power station near Reckingen (VS) interrupts the continuum of the Blinnenbach. (Photo: Eawag)
Switzerland is proud of its strongly developed use of hydropower. This covers almost 60% of the country's electricity needs. The production of around 36 terawatt hours (TWh) per year is now to be increased by a further 3 TWh by 2050 as part of the energy strategy. Eawag, the water research institute, is today presenting internal and external experts at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne on the challenges this poses for water bodies and the approaches society can take to meet these challenges. More information can be found in the conference proceedings [pdf]. Taking better account of the ecological impacts of small hydropower plants. 70 percent of Swiss hydropower plants - around 1500 - are considered small.
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