EnBW has recently made a significant investment decision regarding a pumped hydropower storage plant. The project, named the Forbach Pumped Storage Power Plant/New Lower Reservoir, aims to revamp the Rudolf Fettweis plant in Forbach, located in the scenic Black Forest region, which has been generating hydropower for nearly a century.
EnBW plans to allocate €280 million towards converting the Rudolf Fettweis plant into a high-capacity pumped storage power facility. This decision aligns with the company's strategic focus on expanding renewable energy sources and achieving climate neutrality by 2035. Georg Stamatelopoulos, Chief Operating Officer of Sustainable Generation Infrastructure at EnBW, highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “To accomplish this, we require additional dispatchable capacity and storage reservoirs that can quickly deliver electricity on demand and ensure stable grid operation. The new pumped storage power plant in Forbach aligns perfectly with these objectives, making it an ideal and essential complement to the expansion of our renewable generation capacity.”
The project underwent an extensive planning approval process led by regional authorities in Karlsruhe, and it has successfully received the required approvals. Sylvia Felder, President of the Karlsruhe Regional Administration, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “I am pleased that the Forbach hydropower site is being retained and transformed into a dedicated pumped storage power plant. This represents a significant contribution to the success of the energy transition. Pumped storage power plants play a crucial role in energy storage and are indispensable for the integration of renewable energies.”
The powerhouse, which will be the central component of the new plant, will be ingeniously integrated into the landscape to accommodate advanced power plant technology. The Schwarzenbach power plant will feature a pump turbine capable of generating approximately 54 MW in turbine mode and 57 MW in pump mode, enabling efficient water transfer between the lower and upper reservoirs as needed. Additionally, the powerhouse will house the power plant technology for the Murg plant, consisting of three Francis turbines with a total output of around 23 MW.
During the construction phase, the existing Forbach equalization basin will be expanded to incorporate a cavern water reservoir in the adjacent hillside. This reservoir will serve as the lower reservoir for the future pumped storage power plant, collecting water channeled from the upper reservoir (the Schwarzenbach dam) to drive the power plant's turbines and generate electricity.
The Rudolf Fettweis hydropower plant, consisting of four individual hydroelectric power plants built between 1914 and 1926, currently has a total capacity of approximately 71 MW. EnBW's decision to modernize this historic facility and transform it into a state-of-the-art pumped storage power plant aims to preserve its legacy while contributing significantly to the energy transition and the integration of renewable energies into the German power grid.
EnBW's final investment decision for the Forbach Pumped Storage Power Plant/New Lower Reservoir project represents an important milestone in Germany's renewable energy sector. By emphasizing sustainable generation and grid stability, EnBW sets an example for other energy companies and strengthens Germany's position as a leader in renewable energy innovation. The anticipated completion of this project by the end of 2027 will further enhance Germany's renewable energy infrastructure and bring the nation closer to its ambitious climate goals.
