Switzerland buys mobile gas turbines as an energy reserve for the winter
The Swiss government has confiscated eight mobile gas turbines to bolster the country’s energy security.
This content was published on September 3, 2022 – 13:36
Keystone SDA/ac
The procurement is the first contract signed under the ruling Federal Council’s recent agreement to provide backup power plants. The Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) announced on Friday that this measure supplements the country’s hydropower reserves, which can be used in a targeted manner in winter if required.
The eight mobile gas turbines were purchased by GE Gas Power and will be installed at GE’s Birr site in the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. They are operated with gas, but also with oil or hydrogen. They will be operational this winter by the end of 2026. The total costs over the entire term amount to 470 million francs (around 480 million dollars).
The structure consists of eight modular TM2500 turbines, each with an output of at least 30 megawatts, i.e. around 250 megawatts in total.
In addition, negotiations are still ongoing with other potential suppliers of reserve power plants. These reserve power plants will be subject to the emissions trading system. At the same time, it is clarified which company will operate the system.
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