Wasserwärts: Bringing the fascination of Switzerlands most important renewable energy source to life

Axpo has opened the ‘Wasserwärts’ photo gallery at the Limmern pumped storage power plant in the canton of Glarus. The setting is unique: an almost three-kilometre-long tunnel at 1,850 metres above sea level. The hiking trail from the mountain station to Lake Limmern thus becomes a spectacular journey through hydropower, energy and landscape.

Shortly before the start of the hiking season, the almost three-kilometre-long tunnel between the Kalktrittli mountain station and Lake Limmern is awakening from its winter slumber. There is hammering and drilling as the exhibition organisers place the two large photographs on the tunnel wall. A spectacular evening shot of the Mauvoisin dam is currently being hung. Further ahead in the tunnel, photographs of the Eglisau hydroelectric power plant and the Nalps dam are already in place. Located at around 1,800 metres above sea level and almost three kilometres long, ‘Wasserwärts’ (Towards water) of Axpo is the highest and longest photo gallery in Switzerland.

A crazy idea? Not really, as Jörg Huwyler, Head of the Hydro Energy & Biomass Division, explains: ‘The Limmern pumped storage power plant is a technical masterpiece, its construction demonstrates courage and pioneering spirit, and it is important for security of supply.’ What's more, it is located in spectacular natural surroundings that attract thousands of hikers every year. Most of them use the official hiking trail that leads through the tunnel from the Tierfed cable car mountain station to Lake Limmern.

And from this weekend onwards, they will be able to enjoy a very special hiking experience: ‘Renowned Swiss photographer Markus Bühler has photographed some of our most beautiful hydroelectric power plants,’ says Jörg Huwyler. ‘He did so from unusual perspectives, in special lighting conditions and at different times of day.’ The result is a series of extraordinary images: The Klingnau hydroelectric power station on the Aare in fog, the Muttsee lake at sunrise and the Mattmark dam from a bird's eye view – the 15 best photos form the core of ‘Wasserwärts’. The physical gallery is complemented by an online version with around 50 additional photographs. 

But ‘Wasserwärts’ offers hikers more than just spectacular images. The photo gallery also includes various interactive information boards located in the tunnel and at the mountain and valley stations of the cable car. QR codes provide access to additional content and moving images. This allows visitors to learn more about topics such as the Limmern pumped storage power plant, Swiss hydropower, the electricity mix and Axpo's role in security of supply. This should be a welcome change, especially at the cable car stations, where visitors often have to wait for hours on weekends. ‘Wasserwärts’ gives Switzerland's most important renewable energy source a prominent platform. With the photo gallery, Axpo wants to raise public awareness of hydropower and enhance its appeal.

 ‘With “Wasserwärts”, we want to ensure that hydropower is not only perceived as a technical achievement and a key element of security of supply, but also inspires enthusiasm and “aha moments”,’ explains Jörg Huwyler. ‘In this way, we are demonstrating our – hopefully contagious – enthusiasm for hydropower.’

More information: Here you can find all 50 photographs in the online gallery.