Thermal Power Generation

The two nuclear power stations, Gösgen and Leibstadt, operated as planned for the year. While the annual overhaul at the Gösgen nuclear plant in June went without a hitch, the overhaul of the Leibstadt nuclear plant in August lasted longer than scheduled due to the scale of tests required. Gösgen now supplies industrial steam to the Cartaseta paper mill in Däniken/SO.

Progress in the Niederamt nuclear power station project

Alpiq invested a great deal of effort last year in developing and enhancing the Niederamt nuclear power station project, for which a general licence application was submitted to the Federal Office of Energy (FOE) in June 2008. With this project for a new nuclear power station, Alpiq intends to make an important contribution to Switzerland's long-term energy security.

Modern combined heat and power station in the Valais goes live

One important event during the year was the inauguration of the Thermatel plant on 23 October 2009. The new industrial power station went into operation in Monthey, canton of Valais, after a 20-month construction period. The efficient combined heat and power facility has an electrical output of 55 MW and a thermal output of 43 MW in the form of industrial steam. At more than 80 %, this new thermal power station has an exceptionally high efficiency level.

Thermal power stations in Switzerland in 2009