Switzerland is developing its energy independence, and Switzerland’s latest project is an underground hydroelectric plant capable of storing enough electricity to simultaneously charge 400,000 electric car batteries.
Reuters revealed an investment of 2.2 billion Swiss francs (2.2 billion euros) in the Nantes des Drances plant in the canton of Valais, which will officially open next month and operate as a giant battery.
This project contains six turbines that extend 600 meters underground with a capacity of 900 MW, making it one of the most powerful pumped storage stations in Europe. When this plant is at full capacity it produces electricity from hydroelectric power, but when production from sources like wind and solar exceeds demand, the plant stores the excess electricity, pumping water to the highest reservoir in Vieux Emosson.
“The amount of energy that can actually be stored in this facility is simply staggering, about 20 gigawatt-hours per hour… This means that with a tank full at Vieux Emosson, it is possible to recharge 400,000 electric car batteries simultaneously,” explains Director Alain Sauteer. , who believes that this is not just an important plant for Switzerland, as it will “contribute to the stability of the network in Europe and the security of supply in Europe”.
