Gries joint-venture power plant

The Gries run-of-river power plant was completed in 2019 as a joint venture project on the Salzach river in the municipality of Gries im Pinzgau.

The Gries run of river plant – In harmony with nature

Surrounded by high mountains and popular skiing regions such as Kaprun, Zell am See and the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen, winter tourism isn’t the only life in the Pinzgau region. In summer, too, many tourists make their way to these impressive mountains for their holidays. To ensure a tourism industry in harmony with nature, sustainable energy production is also a must. The hydropower plant in Gries makes an important contribution to this. 

The natural gradient of the Salzach at Gries makes it the ideal location for the run of river plant. The power plant can be constructed here in a way that takes particular care of the river’s ecology. The project partners VERBUND and Salzburg AG worked with the renowned Salzburg Institute for Ecology during the planning phase. The impact on nature was kept as low as possible during the construction phase. Land restoration measures are invigorating biodiversity while a modern fish pass offers obstacle-free migration for the fish.

 
Guests of honour cut a ribbon and declare the Gries power plant open

Gries power plant opened

Hydropower is the stable foundation of local, renewable electricity generation. The new joint venture power plant of VERBUND and Salzburg AG on the Salzach in Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße, Gries district, is capable of supplying 10,000 households with electricity. It thus makes an important contribution to achieving climate and energy targets.
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Owner VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH, Salzburg AG
Operator VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH
Commissioning 2019
Type Run-of-river power plant
Country Austria
Region Salzburg
Waters Salzach
Output 09 MW
Annual output 42,000 MWh
Turbine Kaplan
Connectivity Fish bypass
Fish bypass

The run-of-river power plant has two machine sets, each consisting of a Kaplan bulb turbine and a generator. 
The expansion flow rate will be 115 m³/s and the expansion head will be 8.9 metres. With a capacity of 8.85 MW, the power plant will supply the region with 100% green electricity.

 
Hydro Consulting from VERBUND
The construction will also improve the ecology: still water zones for fish and ecological balancing areas for upgrading the ecosystem are being implemented. At the same, a fish bypass will be installed at the site of the power plant.
Responsible treatment of the environment

Consultations as part of the project

Informational events for residents and citizens are held in the site office on the power plant construction site. In addition to the events, it is also possible go on a guided tour of the construction site.

 

Media spokesperson for Salzburg, Tyrol and Bavaria

Portrait Wolfgang Syrowatka Wolfgang Syrowatka

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