PORR commences preparatory work for Ebensee pumped storage power plant
Construction firm PORR has started preparatory work for the Ebensee pumped storage power plant in Austria. The contract is worth approximately EUR 167 million, with trial operations slated to begin in late 2027.
Construction company PORR has begun preparatory work for the Ebensee pumped storage power plant, commissioned by Energie AG Oberösterreich. The contract, valued at approximately EUR 167 million, is scheduled for trial operations to commence at the end of 2027. This facility is crucial for the region's energy supply and sustainability objectives.
Pumped storage power plants play a vital role in energy transition by absorbing and releasing large amounts of energy during peak demand. The Ebensee project will utilize water from Lake Traun, pumping it nearly 500 meters up into a mountain reservoir. Surplus electricity will be used to power the pumps, and during times of high demand, green electricity will be supplied from the reservoir, reducing reliance on market purchases or fossil fuel generation.
The project involves extensive earthworks and engineering. Key components include the construction of the outlet structure at Lake Traun, tunneling, excavation of two vertical shafts, and the creation of an inclined shaft with a steep 60-degree incline. PORR is leveraging its extensive experience in building pumped storage power plants, with the company also currently involved in projects in Salzburg, Austria, and Forbach, Germany.
The estimated construction period is approximately four years. Upon completion, the power plant will have an output of 170 MW and a storage capacity of 1.32 million cubic meters, sufficient for ten hours of full-load operation. PORR is also adhering to sustainability principles on-site, implementing solar power systems for site offices and utilizing electric vehicles as part of its Green and Lean strategy.