Visit to the Gletsch-Oberwald Cavern Power Plant

Description

Construction of the Gletsch-Oberwald Cavern Power Plant In 2013, the Canton of Valais granted FMV the concession for 80 years. Construction of the power plant started in 2015. In Oberwald, the first 300 m access tunnel was created by blasting. The access tunnel was used for the installation and assembly of the 120 m long tunnel boring machine. A 2.2 km long pressure tunnel connects the water intake in Gletsch with the cavern central in Oberwald. The construction of the water intake with the desander plant was completed in autumn 2017. In 2017, the installation of the two six-nozzle Pelton turbines began in the Oberwald cavern. The turbines are designed for a water flow of 5.7 m3/s at a head of 288 m. The runners have a diameter of 1.15 m and rotate at 600 rpm. The directly coupled synchronous generators produce a rated apparent power of 8,100 kVA each. The generated electricity is transformed to 16 kV in the cavern and transmitted to the Ulrichen substation. Since early 2018, the Gletsch-Oberwald power plant has been producing clean electricity for about 9,000 average households. FMV, as the project manager and builder, has successfully implemented the untapped energy potential of the Rhone between Gletsch and Oberwald. Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 09:30 AM Meeting point: 09:30 AM at the parking lot of the Oberwald multipurpose hall, Dorfstrasse 13 Parking is very limited on site: 2-3 cars on Furkastrasse and at the portal. Therefore, we meet at the Oberwald multipurpose hall for: ➢ Marching of the group to the portal, approx. 20 min. ➢ Traveling by bike along Furkastrasse or the group to the portal ➢ Forming carpool groups with private cars to the portal Equipment: good footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, helmets available Registration by 30.09.2026 to: Armando Camenzind, praesident@igzw-goms.ch or 041 780 26 18 Guided tour: Raoul Albrecht, Mathias Bischoff, Xavier Eggel; Forces Motrices Valaisannes SA, Sion Stations/Information: 1. Portal of the Oberwald cavern central, presentation 2. Oberwald cavern central, visit 3. Aue Sand, visit within the perimeter of the Oberwald portal Schedule: 10:00 AM: Welcome at the portal by Raoul Albrecht, Production Director FMV 10:15 AM: Formation of 3 groups for the rotation of 15-20 minutes at each station 11:30 AM: Aperitif at the portal central, offered by FMV 12:00 PM: End, farewell, and return journey Insurance: the responsibility of the participants The board of IGZW Goms and Raoul Albrecht with team look forward to many participants. Local residents and guests are also welcome! Note: INFORMATION: Meeting point: 09:30 AM, Oberwald multipurpose hall, Dorfstrasse 13 Price: Free entry Contact: Armando Camenzind · 041 780 26 18 · praesident@igzw-goms.ch Registration: by 30.09.2026 Guided tour: Raoul Albrecht, Mathias Bischoff, Xavier Eggel; Forces Motrices Valaisannes SA, Sion