Fully Equipped: CONNEX at Oberhasli Power Station

Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG (KWO) is an energy provider than runs a system made up of nine hydroelectric plants in the Bernese Alps, generating a total of 1.000 MW. This makes KWO’s plants some of the most important and powerful high-pressure systems in Europe. The individual plants entered into operation between 1932 and 1980. Over time, however, some areas started to show signs of needing renovation and the entire system exhibited potential for improvements.

As a result, KWO invested huge sums in renovating and upgrading its systems. The aim of the six-figure investment program, known as “KWO plus”, was to improve the use of hydropower by increasing the power plants’ outputs. The energy supplier relied on connection technology by PFISTERER for a number of its measures. For example, when expanding the 245 kV system at the Handeck in Grimsel hydropower plant in central Switzerland, it equipped the system with CONNEX high-voltage cable connectors.

At a glance

  • Successful cooperation between the operator of powerful hydropower plants and PFISTERER
  • Six-figure investment program set up to improve the use of hydropower by increasing the power plants’ outputs
  • When expanding the system, the energy provider invested in CONNEX connection technology by PFISTERER