As of: January 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m
By: Christiane Mühlbauer
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Speaking about the energy policy and economic dimension of the power plant: Klaus Engels (left, director of the German hydropower division at Uniper), Kochel's deputy mayor Thomas Eberl (right) and Uniper hydropower spokesman Theodoros Reum Schüssel.
© arp
This year, the 100th anniversary of the Walchensee power plant will be celebrated with an extensive anniversary program.
There are numerous lectures, guided tours, concerts, an exhibition and a new book by Helmut Renner.
Kochel am See – On Friday, January 26th, it will be the 100th anniversary of the Walchensee power plant supplying electricity to the Bayernwerk network for the first time.
Even today, the power plant is “a milestone in the history of Kochel,” said Second Mayor Thomas Eberl on Tuesday at a press conference, which was also attended by Klaus Engels, director of hydropower Germany in the Uniper Group.
For Engels it is “our most beautiful and important power plant”.
Many original parts are still preserved.
That’s why the building is “purely sustainable”.
Engels also remembered the 17 workers who lost their lives on the construction site.
Engels: Willing to compromise when re-allocating water rights
Then he talked about today's economic and political dimensions.
The power plant is the “heart of our portfolio”.
The Uniper Group would like to continue to operate the power plant.
“We want to invest and be a reliable partner,” said Engels, referring to the ongoing discussions regarding the new allocation of water rights in 2030. Compromises have to be made with the environmental protection associations.
“From our side, the offer represents major compromises.” But the “red line” is the economic viability of the power plant.
The community complains about a lack of trade tax revenue
Before Engel's explanations, Deputy Mayor Eberl also spoke about the community's relationship with the power plant operators over the past decades.
There have been “good times and bad times,” “but the good outweighs the good.”
Eberl cited the lack of trade tax revenue as a problem because Uniper was allowed to carry out a Europe-wide profit and loss statement.
On the other hand, it is positive that local companies can benefit from the operation and that part of the added value remains in the region.
There is an “intensive exchange” with the group, for example regarding the maintenance of the Walchensee shore and the properties.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration,” said Eberl.
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When asked about the trade tax, Engels said: “We’re sorry.” We see “a need for improvement”.
There were therefore many discussions with former mayor Thomas Holz.
With the current “style of cooperation” we are looking positively into the future.
But: “We are now waiting to see what the authorities think about what should happen next with the Walchensee power plant system.”
There are seven turbines in the nacelle.
The power plant is an important supplier for Deutsche Bahn.
Of the approximately 300 million kilowatt hours that the plant generates each year, a third goes to the railways.
© arp
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A huge 100 will soon shine at the moated castle
On the night of this Friday, the number 100 will light up on the moated castle for the first time.
It should stand like a star over the anniversary year.
With 100,000 visitors every year, the power plant is a crowd puller in the region, and there will certainly be a special rush in 2024.
On May 5th there will be an open day with drives to the moated castle, which are otherwise only possible again on September 8th (Open Monument Day).
The small elevator along the pipes would not withstand daily operation, explained press spokesman Theodoros Reum Schüssel.
Numerous lectures
The specialist lectures take place partly in the visitor center in Altjoch and partly in the Heimatbühne.
On March 7th and September 26th, Kochler Helmut Renner will present his new, two-volume book about the history of the power plant.
Historian Peter Schwarz will talk about the history of the building on April 11th.
On May 2nd, underwater archaeologist and TerraX presenter Florian Huber reports on hidden treasures in Walchensee, and on October 17th Jan Borgmann from Glentleiten explains how the electrification of rural areas took place 100 years ago.
On November 7th, Wilhelm Füßl finally illuminates Oskar von Miller.
At the same time, there are seven concerts of the “Music Summer at the Walchensee Power Plant”, and from April an exhibition about traction electricity that is produced at the power plant will start at the Kochler train station.
Prime Minister Markus Söder is expected to come in June.
Further information about all events online at www.uniper.energy/de/walchenseeturbine