Overview
Linthal (Limmern) is a 34.4 MW hydroelectric power plant in Switzerland, operational and contributing to the country's renewable energy grid. It harnesses hydropower from the Linth region.
Linthal (Limmern) is a hydroelectric power plant located in the Linth region of Switzerland, with a capacity of 34.4 MW. The facility is operational and plays a role in Switzerland's renewable energy portfolio, leveraging the country's mountainous terrain and abundant water resources for power generation. The plant operates under Switzerland's stringent environmental regulations, which align with the EU's Industrial Emissions Directive and Best Available Techniques for hydropower. Swiss hydropower plants typically use run-of-river or storage schemes, with Linthal likely employing a storage system given its location in the Alps. The technology is well-established, with high efficiency and low emissions. As a hydroelectric facility, Linthal (Limmern) provides clean, renewable electricity to the Swiss grid, supporting the country's goal of phasing out nuclear power and increasing renewable energy share. Its operation contributes to local energy security and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also providing grid stability through flexible power output.
Environmental context
The plant's hydroelectric nature means it has low direct CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, but its environmental impact includes potential effects on local aquatic ecosystems and water flow regimes. Located in a mountainous region, the facility may involve a reservoir that alters downstream hydrology. Swiss regulations require environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures for such projects, ensuring protection of biodiversity and water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Linthal (Limmern) is located in the Linth region of Switzerland, near the town of Linthal in the canton of Glarus.
The plant has a capacity of 34.4 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-sized hydroelectric facility in Switzerland.
It is a hydroelectric power plant, likely a storage or pumped-storage scheme given its location in the Alps, using water from the Limmernsee reservoir.
Swiss hydroelectric plants must comply with the Federal Water Protection Act and the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage, which require environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures for aquatic ecosystems.
It provides renewable, low-carbon electricity to the Swiss grid, supporting the country's energy transition away from nuclear power and towards a higher share of renewables.