Porr is carrying out the construction works for the conversion of the run-of-river power plant to a pumped storage power plant and has now completed excavation of the section of the access tunnel that passes under Highway 462.
After passing beneath the road, the tunnel divides into the access tunnel and the energy discharge tunnel.
Porr says half the excavation work in the direction of the power station cavern has been completed from the intersection of the Schutter tunnel, secondary and access tunnels. At the same time, excavation work is being carried out in the secondary tunnel towards the water storage cavern and in the energy discharge tunnel.
The total excavated length of the project is around 5.3km, of which around 4.7km is tunnels.
The power plant cavern is approximately 123m long, 20m wide and 42m high. In total, around 400,000m3 is being excavated, of which 200,000m3 is intended for water storage in the main and secondary tunnels.
Construction works started in autumn last year and the project is due to be completed in 2027.
The heritage-protected run-of-river power plant in Forbach was commissioned in 1914 and converting it to a pumped storage power plant will significantly increase its efficiency.
Porr is responsible for the of construction of mined caverns, water reservoirs and tunnels, the shell of the power plant cavern, construction of two pressure shafts, and foundation engineering work.
