Energy Environmental associations oppose Zurich power plant at the Rhine Falls

The Zurich sections of Pro Natura and Bird Life have opposed a possible power plant at the Rhine Falls. The Zurich cantonal government sees potential there.

A hydropower plant at the Rhine Falls is to be included in the structure plan, as recently announced by the Director of Construction Martin Neukom (Greens). However, this would endanger the habitat of numerous protected species, Pro Natura and Bird Life announced on Friday.

For example, there is a natural cave at the Rhine Falls where water bats give birth to their young in large groups, according to the press release. Rare moss species can be found in the spray zone.

The associations assume that there are other endangered species, but there is no inventory. They are calling on the governments of Zurich and Schaffhausen to ensure the long-term preservation of the high level of nature and landscape conservation at the Rhine Falls.

The cantonal government sees a possible hydropower plant in the canton of Zurich only at the Rhine Falls. Neukom also presented plans for wind turbines in order to manage the energy transition.