Linthal, Glarus, Switzerland
10/2020
Hidden behind an inconspicuous red gate lies the Linth Limmern Power Plant, a major infrastructure project in the Alps of Glarus.
Together with Grande Dixance, it is one of the largest pumped storage plants in Switzerland. The construction of the plant, including the construction of the dam wall, took 10 years and involved up to 900 workers, living in a container settlement in the Alps.
To store and recover electricity, water is pumped between Lake Mutt and Lake Limmern.
The Muttsee dam is the highest located dam in Europe (2500 metres above sea level) and, at 1054 metres length, also the longest in Switzerland.
Through a big funicular railway, which is also used to transport materials, the caverns can be accessed from the valley.
The main caverns of the power plant are situated at around 1700 m.a.s.l. and connect the two lakes.
The largest room is the machine cavern, with a length of 150 metres and a height of 53 metres.
One experiences the contrast between the rough and coarse tunnels in the mountain and the almost sterile-looking machine rooms.
The roar of the water and the drone of the four generators in the large empty rooms almost creates a sublime experience.
Visit here for the 2nd part.
