EWD plans alpine solar plant in Swiss ski area

Swiss power supplier EWD Elektrizitaetswerk Davos AG plans to build a photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Parsenn ski area of the Swiss Alps, in line with the country’s goal to increase electricity production and reduce dependence on imported electricity.

According to a statement published on Thursday, EWD will carry out the project in partnership with the municipality of Davos, municipal utilities alliance Swisspower, and with financial support from a broad group of stakeholders.

When completed, the solar system is expected to produce at least 10 GWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 3,000 four-person households.

After receiving approval from the Davos government, the project will be debated in the Davos parliament in early November. The final decision, however, will be made by the people of Davos in a referendum in December 2023.

If the decision is positive, construction is expected to begin in 2024. The first parts of the facility should be operational by December 2025.

The project was announced soon after the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) revealed research data showing that alpine solar installations can produce up to four times as much electricity during the winter half-year as installations in the lowlands.

In 2022, the Swiss parliament approved legal changes to ease rules for new solar plants in the alpine region, aiming to secure energy supply across the country in the winter.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!