Construction of the Gletsch-Oberwald Cavern Power Plant
In 2013, the Canton of Valais granted FMV a 80-year concession.
Construction of the power plant began in 2015. In Oberwald, the first 300 m
of the access tunnel in Oberwald were excavated using blasting. The access tunnel was used to transport
and assembly of the 120-meter-long tunnel boring machine. A 2.2-kilometer-long pressure tunnel connects the
water intake in Gletsch with the cavern power plant in Oberwald. Construction of the water intake, including
the desander system was completed in the fall of 2017.
In 2017, work began in the Oberwald cavern on the installation of the two six-nozzle
Pelton turbines. The turbines are rated for a water flow of 5.7 m³/s at a head of
288 m. The impellers have a diameter of 1.15 m and rotate at 600 rpm.
The directly coupled synchronous generators each produce a rated apparent power of 8,100
KVA. The electricity generated is transformed to 16 kV in the cavern and transmitted to the Ulrichen substation
. Since early 2018, the Gletsch-Oberwald power plant has been producing clean electricity for
approximately 9,000 average households. As the project manager and developer, FMV has successfully harnessed the previously
previously untapped energy potential of the Rhone between Gletsch and Oberwald.
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: 9:30 a.m. at the parking lot of the Oberwald Multipurpose Hall, Dorfstrasse 13
On-site parking is very limited: 2–3 cars each on Furkastrasse and at the entrance
We will therefore meet at the multipurpose hall in Oberwald for:
➢ A group hike along the Rotte to the Portal, approx. 20 min.
➢ Ride by bike along Furkastrasse or the Rotte to the Portal
➢ Carpooling in private cars to the entrance
Equipment: sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing; helmets are provided
Register by September 30, 2026, with: Armando Camenzind, praesident@igzw-goms.ch or 041 780 26 18
Guides: Raoul Albrecht, Mathias Bischoff, Xavier Eggel; Forces Motrices Valaisannes SA, Sion
Stops/Information:
1. Entrance to the Oberwald Cavern Complex, presentation
2. Oberwald Cavern Control Center, tour
3. Aue Sand, tour within the Oberwald portal perimeter
Schedule:
10:00 a.m.: Welcome at the portal by Raoul Albrecht, Director of Production at FMV
10:15 a.m.: Formation of 3 groups for a rotation of 15–20 minutes at each station
11:30 a.m.: Refreshments at the Central Portal, courtesy of FMV
12:00 p.m.: End of event, farewell, and return trip
Insurance: The responsibility of the participants
The Board of IGZW Goms and Raoul Albrecht and his team look forward to seeing many participants.
Locals and visitors are also welcome!
Payment methods
- Free admission
