Beznau hydro power station
Low-pressure run-of-river power station on the River Aare
The Beznau hydro power station, along with the Löntsch storage power station, formed the cradle of Axpo AG, formerly NOK. Switzerland's first power station network was created out of these two plants back in the early 20th century. In 1914 NOK acquired the plant, which had been built between 1898 and 1902 and had a capacity of 19.5 MW, from the then Motor AG.
The plant, which was converted around 1930, exploits the downward flow of the River Aare over a distance of 7.4 km and stands at the end of an artificial headrace. The Aare island which this creates is currently the site of the Beznau nuclear power plant, the weir power station as well as various electricity distribution and switching facilities belonging to Axpo AG. On average, the plant generates 130m kWh of electricity a year.
Work is currently under way on a project to replace the power station.
| Facts & figures | |
|---|---|
| Mean annual production: | 130m kWh |
| Installed output: | 19,5 MW |
| Turbines: | 11 propeller-type turbines, 1.77 MW each |
| Flow rate: | 418 m3/s |
Weir-type power plant at the Beznau power station on the River Aare
The weir power station, which went into operation in 2001, is located on the Beznau island at the weir of the hydro power station which was built around 1900. It uses the weir water which is discharged into the course of the Old Aare River in order to generate ecologically valuable energy and covers the electricity needs of around 8000 homes.
