As Europe moves towards its energy transition, a major Bavarian project is increasingly coming to the fore: the ‘EnergiespeicherRiedl’ pumped-storage power station. Located in the immediate vicinity of the existing Jochenstein run-of-river power station, Verbund aims to make a decisive contribution to future grid stability.
The principle is as simple as it is effective: During periods of electricity surplus, water from the Danube is pumped into an upper reservoir situated 330 metres higher up. If, on the other hand, there is a shortfall in the grid, the water flows back through the underground tunnel into the Danube, driving two turbines and generators in the process, which feed the stored energy back into the grid in the form of electricity with exceptional efficiency. A key aspect of the sustainable use of resources is that the plant is designed for a service life of 100 to 150 years. With a maximum capacity of around 300 MW and a storage capacity of approximately 5 GWh, the plant can store the usable energy equivalent to the batteries of around 45,000 mid-range electric vehicles (BEVs) every day.
It is said that the planning approval process was one of the most complex in the region. The relevant decision has been in place since autumn 2025. To make the most of the time until construction begins, the BERNARD Gruppe, as lead partner in a planning community, was awarded the assignment for the tender design of the construction works. We are proud to once again be planning an extremely exciting and challenging large-scale project for Verbund.
Philipp Schumacher, BERNARD Gruppe
