A new 380 kilovolt line is being constructed between Mörel and Ulrich. The construction of this line is necessary to ensure that all of the energy generated from hydropower in the Valais can reach Central Switzerland and Ticino.
The extra-high-voltage line between Mörel and Ulrichen will be newly constructed with a voltage of 380 kilovolt. Without connecting the transmission lines in the Valais to the 380-kilovolt grid, it will only be possible to transport around two thirds of the Valais production from hydropower once the new Nant de Drance pumped storage power plant commences operation. The construction of the SBB's new 132 kilovolt railway power line is also critical for the secure operation of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA) at the Gotthard.
The existing 220 kilovolt line between the Elektra Massa power plant in Bitsch and the switching substation in Mörel will be rebuilt. The pylons will be increased in height to accommodate the 132 kilovolt railway power line in order to maintain ground clearance according to the Ordinance on Electric Lines and Cables (LeV). Four completely new pylons will be built between the power plant and Termen.
The construction work for the pylon and cable installation will take place in 2020.
In this section, the cable study for the «Binnegga-Binnachra-Hockmatta-Hofstatt» (Binna crossing) area requested by the Federal Court was submitted to the SFOE in October 2014. In its decision on 23 December 2016, the SFOE approved the overhead line version and dismissed all objections. Objections against the decision were submitted to the Federal Administrative Court.
Detailed specifications on the construction programme will follow as soon as the decision on the underground cable or overhead line version receives final approval.
57 new pylons will be built and the existing 220 kilovolt and 65 kilovolt overhead lines will be dismantled between the Ernen and Ulrichen substations. The main work (foundation and pylon construction, rope installation) will take place between 2017 and 2020.
The existing 220-kilovolt overhead line between Mörel and Ulrichen will be taken down after the new line has been commissioned. The existing 65-kilovolt Mörel – Ernen 1, Mörel – Ernen 2 and Ernen – Ulrichen overhead lines will also be dismantled.
Steel lattice pylons and plastic insulators will be used for all pylons.
1,000-mm2 Aldrey conductors are used for the transmission and railway power lines; twin conductors will be used in the transmission line. The 65-kilovolt line will be equipped with 600-mm2 Aldrey single conductors. The ground conductor has a diameter of approx. 350 mm2 and contains an integrated fibre-optic cable.
A modern 220-kilovolt substation will be built at the new location in Niederernen. The old substation in Fiesch and the line connection will be dismantled. This prevents the crossing of the Rhone and relieves the burden on the settlement area.
A bridge solution to the Binna crossing is being considered for cable version 1. The cable bridge is a version in the topologically difficult area of the Binna crossing with steep drops on both sides.
The cable bridge could be used as a pedestrian connection. Special consideration must be given to the magnetic field on account of the proximity of the pedestrians to the cable arrangement. An aluminium panel could be attached above the cable arrangement to shield the magnetic fields.
The Project Advisory Council is a consultative forum that allows the active involvement of the various members and in which mutual understanding can be promoted and different concerns can be raised directly.
The Project Advisory Council was constituted on 21 November 2013 to supervise the cable study for the «Binnegga-Binnachra-Hockmatta-Hofstatt» area and was used until the submission of the cable study to the SFOE in October 2014. The Project Advisory Council was composed of the following persons:
| Dr. Heinrich Zimmermann, Swissgrid, Chair |
| Martin Weber, Swissgrid, Deputy Chair |
| Fritz Hug, Swissgrid |
| Jeanine Glarner, Swissgrid |
| Christine Haag, SBB |
| Didier Pauchard, SBB |
| Ivo Abgottspon, Valgrid SA |
| Klaus Agten, municipality of Grengiols |
| Christine Clausen, municipality of Ernen |
| Edwin Zeiter, municipality of Bister |
| Eva-Maria Kläy, Pro Natura, also represents WWF Upper Valais |
| Dominique Weissen, Binntal Landscape Park |
| Matthias Rapp, Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation |
| Stefan Julen, Raumplanung & Umwelt |
| Jürg Schildknecht-Fasel, private objector Ernen / Grengiols |
A total of 19 buildings within the study perimeter were classified as OMEN. The magnetic field was calculated for all OMENs. In 18 OMENs, the system limit value of 1 microtesla was maintained. In one OMEN, the system limit was exceeded slightly – a dispensation has been granted for this.
The new line routing is used in the entire project perimeter south of the existing building zones and residential areas. By moving the line from the banks of the Rhône and out of the open agricultural land to the wooded hillsides, the potential conflict of the existing 220 kV line from the construction zones in several communities will be resolved. In terms of the landscape, there will be a general improvement over the existing situation.
Due to the bundling with the 132 kV railway power line and the 65 kV line on the same pylons as well as to the higher voltage, however, the pylons will be taller than the existing 220 kV line.
The majority of the pylon sites are located in the forest. Other locations are used intensively for agriculture or include semi-dry meadows and extensively grazed areas.
In the spring of 2018, deforestation work was carried out along the transmission route. This was necessary to ensure safety on the construction site and safe operation of the line. An approximately 30-metre-wide corridor was cleared over a distance of around 16 kilometres. Trees and shrubs are beginning to grow again in this area. Over time, this will allow the line to blend into the landscape better.
To implement the line, a total area of 15,288 m2 of forest need to be cleared for the pylon locations. The temporary clearing of 22,572 m2 is required to provide access to the building sites and pylon locations. Suppression is necessary for an area of 292,471 m2.
The required deforestation and clearance easements were authorised in the approval procedure. Strict requirements have also been imposed on Swissgrid with the construction permit. This includes checking whether additional safeguards against avalanches and snowslides are necessary after the deforestation. A definitive assessment of the situation and the agreement of suitable measures was only possible after the deforestation. For this purpose, Swissgrid commissioned an expert opinion from the Valais engineering firm geoformer igp AG.
Planned protective measures include snow barriers and tripods made of wood as well as young trees in different clearings in the forest along the transmission line. On the one hand, this guarantees that the forest roads on Frid alp and in Chäserstatt, which are used all year round, remain safe during winter. On the other hand, this ensures the growth of the forest in the strip covered by the height easements. The situation is safe for the population. The measures allow the forest to fulfil its long-term role of protecting against avalanches without restriction.
The interventions are local and cover small areas; they will not lead to the disappearance of larger habitats.
The following overhead lines are to be dismantled with the commissioning of the new 380 kV line:
The three 65 kV Fiesch – Ernen – Heiligkreuz, Mörel – Ernen and Ernen – Ulrichen overhead lines will be installed underground between the Fiesch power plant, the Ernen power plant and pylon No. 1461.
As the forest cover of the reforestation area will occur naturally, alternative measures were defined in addition to a real substitute:
