Pradapunt: Arosa voters give green light for new hydroelectric power plant

09.02.2025 - In a ballot held on 9 February 2025, Arosa voters approved the granting of water rights and the Plessur protection regulations in connection with the planned Pradapunt hydroelectric power plant with about 90 per cent of the votes in favour. This means that the ambitious project has reached an important milestone.

After the municipal parliament had already given the green light unanimously on 28 November 2024, the voters of Arosa have now also said yes. With a clear majority of 90,3 per cent in favour, they have accepted the proposal ‘Granting of water rights for the use of the Plessur hydroelectric power (Litzirüti power plant to Pradapunt control centre) and the Plessur protection regulations in connection with the use of hydroelectric power in the planned Pradapunt power plant’ and are sending a strong signal in favour of using local hydroelectric power. This marks another important milestone for the project.

Renewable energy for 10,000 households

The consortium partners Axpo, Arosa Energie and IBC Energie Wasser Chur are investing around CHF 80 million in the new hydroelectric power plant, thereby reaffirming their commitment to the development of renewable energies in Switzerland. With an installed capacity of 10 MW, the Pradapunt power plant could produce 42 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, thus covering the needs of around 10,000 four-person households. In addition, the existing gap in the power plant cascade on the Plessur would be closed and the unfavourable flow fluctuations for nature at the Litzirüti power plant would be eliminated.

Investment and construction decision in 2027 at the earliest

The approval of the voters of Arosa is an important step in the ongoing two-stage approval procedure with concession approval and the building application process. This will take several years in total, meaning that the consortium partners will not be able to make an investment and construction decision before 2027 at the earliest. The consortium will submit the concession application to the cantonal authorities for approval in February, so that the project documents can be made available for public inspection in March. After a construction period of around three years, the power plant would not be ready to start operating until 2031 at the earliest.

Plessur Hydropower Consortium

The ‘Wasserkraft Plessur’ consortium consists of three partners: Arosa Energie, IBC Energie Wasser Chur and Axpo. They began planning the Pradapunt power plant together back in 2014 but then suspended the project in 2017 due to the economic outlook. The consortium resumed its work in 2023 because the framework conditions have improved in recent years. The consortium plans to invest around CHF 80 million in the new Pradapunt hydroelectric power plant. Axpo and the consortium partners are thus reaffirming their commitment to expanding renewable energies and strengthening security of supply in Switzerland.

More information about the Pradapunt power plant