Saline de Bex: Groundbreaking for more green energy
Yesterday, the members of the management of Swiss Saltworks together with the project team broke ground for the enlargement of the hydropower plant of its subsidiary Saline de Bex. The construction work will last until the end of 2022. When completed, the hydropower plant will produce around 50% more green electricity than before.
The Swiss salt works, which are owned by the 26 cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein, have long been committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly salt production. For an increasingly efficient use of energy resources, they are pursuing various projects at their three sites in Bex/VD, Riburg/AG and Schweizerhalle/BL. The enlargement of the Saline de Bex hydropower plant on the Avançon River, which borders the production site, is part of this program.
Yesterday, the Swiss Saltworks, together with the responsible project team, broke ground for this major project. The construction of the original hydroelectric plant in 1943 marked a turning point in the ecological strategy of the Saline de Bex. The replacement of fossil fuels with green electricity enabled the environmentally friendly production of SEL DES ALPES salt. The cost of enlarging the power plant amounts to 20 million francs.
More green energy in the grid
Dr. Urs Ch. Hofmeier, Managing Director of Swiss Salt Works, is pleased with this next step in the sustainability strategy: "The enlarged plant is not only in line with Swiss Salt Works' efforts for sustainable salt production, but also with the National Energy Strategy 2050, which was approved by the Swiss people in 2017."
"The future plant will produce 15 GWh per year, about 50% more than today," adds Jean-Louis Meylan, administrative and financial director of Saline de Bex. "Thanks to the new plant, the amount of green energy we feed into the grid will increase from 4 GWh to 9 GWh per year. The enlarged power plant will provisionally produce electricity until 2082. Then the concession will have to be renewed."
Pierre Rochat, town mayor of the municipality of Bex, is enthusiastic: "We are delighted that the Swiss Saltworks are enlarging their hydropower plant to produce more green electricity. Once the work is completed, the power plant will be able to supply electricity to 2,400 households, which is equivalent to half the inhabitants of the municipality of Bex."
Construction site calendar
The preparatory work for the expansion of the hydropower plant started in January. Due to the current situation with the coronavirus, yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony took place in camera. However, the Swiss Saltworks will provide for a big topping-out ceremony to mark the completion of the construction work. The power plant is scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2022.
