Bavaria approves immediate construction of controversial Riedl pumped-storage plant

Construction can begin on the Riedl pumped-storage power plant in Bavaria, despite ongoing legal challenges. The Passau district authority has ordered the "immediate execution" of the planning approval, responding to a request from Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein AG.

The district authority cited a "special public interest" in immediate implementation. The Riedl energy storage facility is listed by the European Union as a key energy infrastructure project crucial for achieving climate targets. It is also expected to prevent economic damage by avoiding the need to shut down photovoltaic plants during periods of solar power overproduction.

"After more than 15 years of waiting, the joy is great," said Michael Strugl, CEO of Verbund AG. He described the immediate enforceability of the planning approval as a "strong signal for supply security, grid stability, and the energy transformation in Bavaria and Austria." Strugl believes this decision saves the project years of delays, providing a critical three to five-year window needed for the rapid expansion of wind and solar energy.

“

After more than 15 years of waiting, the joy is great. The immediate enforceability of the planning approval is a strong signal for supply security, grid stability, and the energy transformation in Bavaria and Austria.

The Riedl plant is designed for a capacity of 300 megawatts and a storage capacity of 3.5 gigawatt-hours per cycle, which would make it Bavaria's largest pumped-storage facility. Verbund AG states it can store surplus electricity from over 100,000 average private solar installations daily and supply it as needed, enough to cover the daily electricity needs of approximately 350,000 households.

However, the Bund Naturschutz in Bavaria (BN) has filed a lawsuit against the project, initially halting construction. The environmental group cited potential ecological damage with significant impacts on flora and fauna in a protected habitat area. The district authority noted that the BN can legally challenge the immediate execution order through a request for the restoration of suspensive effect, where a court would weigh the interests involved.

“

Time that we urgently need given the rapid expansion of wind and solar energy.