To ensure the pumped storage power plant can go into operation in 2027, work continues in parallel at the Schwarzenbach power plant. After completing the excavation of the access tunnel and the throttle chamber, the team is preparing for work on the shaft.
The pilot bore began at the end of June. This 350mm-diameter bore serves as preparation for the subsequent widening of the shaft.
Porr reached the shaft base cavern in less than two weeks. To widen the shaft to a diameter of approximately 3.1m, the Porr tunnelling team is mounting an approximately 11-ton reamer (drill head) on the drill rod.
Work is also progressing in the cavern. Drilling and blasting are under way, and excavation is complete on the crown and benches one and two. With the advance of bench three in the cavern section of the Schwarzenbach power plant, the next significant phase is under way.
Since autumn 2023, Porr Tunnelbau has been constructing a cavern and tunnel system for the conversion of the Rudolf Fettweis run-of-river plant into a pumped storage power plant on behalf of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG.
In May, breakthrough was made on the Murgwerk access tunnel, a key step in the conversion project. The breakthrough of the energy diversion tunnel to the cavern and the installation of the crane runway beam were completed in advance.
