Bergbahnen Soll Now Uses Electricity From Its Own Small Hydropower Plant
Thanks to the construction of a small hydropower plant on the Stampfanger stream, Bergbahnen Söll will be able to cover around 25% of its annual energy requirements itself from December 2024. If you consider the summer operation from May to October, both gondola lifts to Hexenwasser and Hohe Salve can be operated almost entirely energy self-sufficiently thanks to this self-produced energy.
At SkiWelt Söll, resource conservation and sustainability are deeply rooted. A heat recovery system was installed for the first time back in 1988, which was modernised in 2020. In 2006, district heating was connected to a local wood chip heating plant, followed by pellet heating for the workshops in 2009. Since 2016, a GPS-controlled snow depth measurement system has been in use at Bergbahnen Söll, as in the entire SkiWelt, to conserve energy and water resources. Whether in the past or today, how sustainable ski operations can be harmonised in the best possible way, both in terms of ecology and economy, is firmly anchored in the corporate philosophy of Bergbahnen Söll and the other SkiWelt mountain railway companies.
"Energy self-sufficient operation - with the construction of our small hydropower plant, we are taking a big step in this direction! For this reason, Bergbahnen Söll has taken the opportunity to invest in a small hydroelectric power plant right next to the valley station," says Mario Gruber, Managing Director of Bergbahnen Söll.
Following the positive decisions by the state and the Kufstein district authority, construction work could begin at the beginning of June 2024. According to planning, commissioning is scheduled for December 2024.
Further e-charging stations are planned directly at the valley station of the Söll cable cars, which can also be supplied with electricity from the small hydroelectric power station.
KEY DATA FOR THE STAMPFANGER SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANT
- Maximum power 380 kW
- Annual output 1,500,000 kW/h /corresponds to approx. 25% of the total electricity consumption of the Bergbahnen Söll
- Investment costs approx. EUR 2,500,000
