Effort to help Rhone biodiversity by cutting power production

Wednesday, 11 October 2023 06:30

The Geneva utility company, the SIG, says it will adjust the amount of electricity produced at the Verbois dam in an effort to protect the Rhone’s biodiversity.

Past practice means the SIG increased flow during periods of high demand, so it didn’t have to buy electricity on the markets.

But this caused major changes in the river’s levels.

Flow will be more measured to reduce that difference. This means some more electricity will have to be bought, increasing costs. That difference will be met by the Confederation, so consumers don’t have to pay more.

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