Switzerland is renowned for its alpine scenery and its strict standards regarding environmental protection and urban planning. Therefore, when the consortium of BKW (55%) and aventron (45%) decided to build the new small hydropower plant HPP Turbach (under Kraftwerk Turbach AG), the project required a solution that fits into the built-up area of Gstaad.
With a total investment volume of 14.5 million CHF, this infrastructure project marks a milestone for local green energy. GUGLER Water Turbines GmbH was awarded the complete contract for the design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the technological heart of this project. Developed between 2024 and 2026, this facility demonstrates how modern hydropower engineering can be integrated adjacent to municipal infrastructure.
Architectural Integration in Gstaad
The HPP Turbach project is closely integrated into the municipal area. While the water intake sits higher up at 1,291 m a.s.l. below the Fangbrücke, the water is routed via a 3-kilometer-long buried penstock directly to Gstaad. The new powerhouse is constructed directly adjacent to the existing BKW ISP building in the Gütscheli area of Gstaad (1,060 m a.s.l.), placing it in immediate proximity to the local community.
Operating a hydro plant adjacent to existing structures and residential areas requires strict technical design. To address the spatial layout, GUGLER implemented a vertical turbine configuration. This vertical layout minimizes the footprint required for the turbine-generator unit inside the powerhouse. As a result, the plant blends into its municipal surroundings, ensuring that clean, sustainable electricity for more than thousands of homes is generated right within the town.
Technical Highlights
Flow rate: 1,54 m³/s
Net head: 201,95 m
Installed capacity: 2 717 kW
Scope of Supply – Turbach
Our comprehensive GUGLER “water-to-wire” solution for this project included:
- Vertical 6-nozzle Pelton Turbine: designed for a maximum flow of 1.54 m³/s, a net head 201.95 m, and a capacity of 2,717 kW.
- Main Inlet Valves & Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU): including a high-pressure spherical valve and a safety butterfly valve.
- Synchronous Generator & Advanced Closed-Circuit Cooling System.
Engineering Excellence & Ecological Synergy
The facility harnesses the hydrological potential of the Turbachbach stream, utilizing a net head of 201,95 meters. For these specific high-head conditions, GUGLER engineered a vertical six-nozzle Pelton turbine featuring a runner diameter of 771 mm and an operational design flow rate of 1,54 m³/s.
The six-nozzle configuration offers exceptional operational flexibility and high efficiency, even during periods of fluctuating seasonal water flow typical for alpine streams. Beyond the turbine itself, GUGLER’s comprehensive “water-to-wire” package included the generator, HPU, the main spherical valve, an upstream safety butterfly valve, and an advanced closed-circuit cooling system.
Moreover, the plant was built following strict environmental standards. To preserve the natural habitat and fish populations in the stream, a minimum ecological residual flow (Restwasser) of 115 l/s is strictly maintained. In addition, the operators are actively co-financing a river revitalization project upstream (from Fangbrücke to Wintermatte) to significantly improve fish migration and local biodiversity.
