Energy Canton of Bern, KWO and environmental associations reach hydropower agreement
The canton of Bern, Kraftwerke Oberhasli (KWO) and numerous environmental associations have reached an agreement on additional ecological compensation measures for the expansion of three large hydropower projects. The associations have promised not to lodge any more complaints.
08.12.2025, 15:00
SDA
The additional compensation measures are intended to protect biodiversity and the landscape. At the same time, they are laying the foundations for the Trift reservoir expansion project and the enlargement of Lake Grimsel. They also lay the foundation for the enlargement of Lake Oberaar. This was announced by the Canton of Bern, the KWO and the environmental associations involved on Monday in Bern.
Among other things, the parties agreed to waive the use of various watercourses and sections for electricity production, contributions by the KWO to the dismantling of intake structures on the Simme and Emme rivers, construction and use restrictions for three glacier forelands and the establishment of an environmental foundation financed by the KWO.
