HYDROPOWER SERIE

Switzerland has the highest density of dams in the world, and its reservoirs are a cornerstone of the country’s renewable energy system. Hydropower generates approximately 60% of Switzerland’s electricity, with many plants relying on Alpine reservoirs that store water from glaciers, snowmelt, and rainfall.

Beyond power generation, these reservoirs act as massive energy storage systems. When surplus solar and wind energy is available, it is used to pump water to higher reservoirs. During peak electricity demand, the stored water is released downhill, instantly generating power and ensuring grid stability for times when wind and solar power fall short. Switzerland is blessed by its geography with steep mountains, making it efficient to use the gravity to produce energy.

As the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewables, these reservoirs become even more critical as energy storage systems, helping to balance supply and demand.

The remarkable architecture of Swiss dams stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to reshape nature to meet our needs. We flood valleys and create man-made lakes in places where nature alone would never have imagined them, transforming landscapes in the pursuit of sustainable power.