As of: February 5, 2024, 6:21 a.m
By: Dominik Stallein
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The waterfall at the Waldramer Weir will drive turbines in the future - if the authorities agree to the plan at some point.
© Sabine Hermsdorf
At a meeting of future activists, the head of Tölzer Stadtwerke explains why hydropower is still not being generated in the canal.
Wolfratshausen – Until that happens, a lot of water will flow down the canal.
Waiting for approval for the hydroelectric power plant between Farchet and Waldram requires a lot of patience from those involved.
At the Wor-for-Future initiative meeting on Thursday evening, one of the managing directors of the operating company explained to the around 20 guests what was wrong with the expansion of hydropower.
“Waiting for eight years”: Energy transition project stalls - municipal utility boss criticizes authorities
Walter Huber is the head of Tölzer Stadtwerke - and in this role he is largely responsible for the planning of the Loisach-Isar Canal.
Together with Bayernwerk, the Tölz energy supplier founded a company to generate electricity from the canal.
And that was years ago.
A lot has happened in the energy sector since then, but nothing between Farchet and Waldram.
Hydropower for 3,000 households: Project is not getting off the ground
The group has been waiting for approval since 2016.
The idea is to increase the gradient slightly by digging below the waterfall.
The water would then fall from a height of around 4.50 meters and drive the turbines in such a way that energy can be generated even with minimal water flow.
“I wrote to one environment minister after another about the project,” explained Huber.
The answer was always that the company's applications were not complete.
“My impression is that there is no such thing as a complete application.
Even if everything were there, some species of fish would still be invented that is missing from the application.” A response from the higher nature conservation authority is pending – and this will stand in the way of implementing the plans.
“We have been waiting for eight years.
On average it takes around twelve years in Bavaria,” says Huber.
Meeting in the next room: The Future Initiative Wolfratshausen invited people to the monthly meeting.
© Hans Lippert
The signs for energy from the canal could soon deteriorate significantly: In 2030, the Uniper Group's water rights for energy use at Walchensee will expire and will have to be reregulated - which could have a direct impact on the Loisach-Isar Canal.
Hydroelectric power plant planned in Wolfratshausen - energy is to be generated between Farchet and Waldram
However, Huber believes the chance of a serious change is small: “Nobody who operates a hydroelectric power plant has an interest in selling it over” and a minimum inflow into the canal must be ensured for ecological reasons.
But the economic viability of a power plant in the Wolfratshausen urban area depends on the flow.
“It would be okay for Stadtwerke Tölz if the project came out with a profit and it produced electricity.” However, the business partner Bayernwerk had different return requirements.
Despite all the imponderables, Huber believes the power plant is a sensible undertaking: “There are risks, yes.
But the opportunities are also immense.” Around 3,000 households are to be supplied with the water energy from the new system.
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Does the city buy shares in the power plant: environmental officer expresses idea
The city council's environmental officer, Dr.
On Thursday evening, Hans Schmidt brought up the idea of buying the energy company's shares - 60 percent - in order to require lower profit targets.
“Would that speed up the project?” Huber: “Then perhaps it can be implemented more quickly.
But Bayernwerk will not give away the shares for free.” According to the agreement, the city of Wolfratshausen would have a stake of up to 20 percent in the power plant anyway, as Huber explained - it is still unclear which of the two energy companies involved the shares come from.
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In 2017, the city council made a fundamental decision to build the power plant.
The plans were last improved four years ago.
“Unfortunately, in water law you cannot sue for inaction,” said Huber.
That's why all that remains for now is to wait for the authorities - as before.
The delay and lack of clarity in the Loisach-Isar Canal are symptomatic.
“The energy transition is not a technical problem.
It’s a coordination problem.”
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