Inauguration of the new hydropower plant in Gratkorn

The ceremonial inauguration of the new Mur power plant in Gratkorn today marked an important milestone for Styria’s energy future. The state-of-the-art Styrian hydropower plant will provide the electricity demand of 15,000 households and will be presented to the public tomorrow, Saturday, at an open day.

Together with Governor Christopher Drexler and Vice Governor Anton Lang, the latest VERBUND and Energie Steiermark Mur power plant was commissioned today. Over two and a half years of construction, the state-of-the-art hydropower plant of the run-of-river power plant Gratkorn was built on the Styrian Mur.

Governor Christopher Drexler said: "This provincial government has committed itself to the ‘white and green’ transition to clean energy and has put climate action at the forefront of its agenda. The new Mur power plant in Gratkorn is a quantum leap in Styrian transition to clean energy. It is important fir us to make the energy supply safe and sustainable for the Styrians and to use the natural power of water to achieve this. At the same time, we will continue to take comprehensive measures to adapt to climate change because it is important to ensure the safety of our citizens."

With an output of 11 megawatts and an annual electricity generation of 54 million carbon-free kilowatt hours, the new power plant will cover the electricity demand of more than 15,000 households, making an important contribution to achieving climate neutrality.

"In recent years, we as a provincial government have implemented numerous measures across departments for climate action. One material component is the massive expansion of renewable energies. I am therefore delighted that another milestone has been achieved with the Murr power plant in Gratkorn. This showcase project is another important contribution to climate action," says Vice Governor Anton Lang. 

Electricity from hydropower is a key pillar of green transformation

VERBUND and Energie Steiermark invested 100 million euros in constructing the latest community power plant on the Mur River: "We are working at full speed to transform our energy system. Here in Styria especially, hydropower is a key pillar of renewable energy supply, and the initial operation of the Gratkorn Murr Power Plant is a building block for the climate-neutral energy future," says Michael Strugl, Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Board of VERBUND.

"Austria has set itself very ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energies. With reliable electricity generation like here in Gratkorn, the strong local hydropower will be the backbone of the transition to clean energy, especially in terms of security of supply," emphasises COO Achim Kaspar, who is responsible for hydropower in the VERBUND Executive Board.

"Important contribution to the country’s climate strategy"

"Gratkorn Mur Power Plant is the latest community project of VERBUND and Energie Steiermark and another milestone to increase the share of green electricity in Styria. This makes an important contribution to the country’s climate strategy. At the same time, numerous ecological measures have enhanced the nature and leisure areas along the River Mur, creating an added value for the Greater Graz area," says Executive Boards duo Christian Purrer and Martin Graf of Energie Steiermark.

Electricity from hydropower is Styria’s most important source of renewable energy. The power of the Mur has been used for 120 years for electricity generation: "The hydropower plants on the Mur are the backbone of generating renewable electricity in Styria. The run-of-river power plants supply indigenous energy throughout the year in a predictable manner. Thanks to two innovative, vertically mounted generator sets, the new Gratkorn Mur power plant offers additional benefits for grid stability," says Karl Heinz Gruber and Michael Amerer, Managing Director of the VERBUND Hydropower.

Flood protection for the local communities north of Graz

In addition to a wide range of accompanying ecological measures and a new access area to the River Mur, the new hydropower plant will also improve flood protection for the local communities north of Graz. An additional bridge over the Mur for cyclists, pedestrians and recreational athletes starting directly at the power plant enhances the leisure facilities and cycle path network.

Tomorrow, Saturday 5 October 2024: "Open Day" at the new Gratkorn VERBUND Mur Power Plant and Energie Steiermark will introduce the most modern Styrian hydropower plant to the public and invite them to an "open day" in the Gratkorn power plant from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, 5 October 5 2024.

Access to the power plant area and car park is at Hechenblaickner, Judendorfer Straße 204, 8051 Graz and in the area of Steiner Bau, Am Hartboden 50, 8101 Gratkorn.

Technical data for the Gratkorn Mur power plant

Further technical data, information on supportive and compensatory environmental measures, and images and videos of the construction of the Gratkorn power plant can be found at power.verbund.com.