Felbermayr has completed the transport of the second of two 140-tonne transformers for the Kühtai 2 pumped storage hydropower project in Tyrol, Austria. The delivery involved moving a transformer measuring 7.25m in length, 3.54m in width and 4.29m in height through mountainous terrain to a construction site located at more than 2,000m above sea level.
The Kühtai 2 project, developed by Austrian utility TIWAG, will have a generating capacity of approximately 190 MW and includes a new high-altitude reservoir at more than 2,100 m. Once operational, the facility is expected to support grid stabilization and reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 120,000 tonnes annually.
The transformer was initially transported by rail to the town of Zirl, where it was transferred to a heavy-duty modular transporter configuration. Felbermayr used a 15-axle combination consisting of a 6-axle self-propelled Goldhofer ADDRIVE unit and a 2-axle FT SERIES module at the front, with a 3+4 axle combination from the same series at the rear. The load was supported by a scissor lift bridge and mounted on a turntable. A tractor unit and pusher vehicle were deployed to assist with steep mountain gradients.
According to Goldhofer service engineer Erwin Uebel, who accompanied the operation, equipment flexibility was a key factor. “With projects of this complexity, the ability to configure modules with maximum flexibility and even combine them with self-propelled transporters such as the ADDRIVE is a decisive advantage,” he said. “The differences in height between the modules are not a problem; the FT SERIES is designed for maximum adaptability.”
The final section of the route included narrow tunnels and confined access roads leading to the underground powerhouse cavern, requiring precise manoeuvring to position the transformer safely.
The hybrid ADDRIVE system provided additional traction during the most demanding sections of the route. The 55m-long transport combination encountered gradients exceeding 16% on the final ascent. “On the steep sections, the extra power provided by the ADDRIVE was worth its weight in gold,” said Uebel. “The combination of tractor assistance and towed module within the overall train makes it the ideal solution for challenging terrain.”
Goldhofer Area Sales Manager Transport Technology Levin Gonser highlighted the cooperation between the two companies. “We are proud of the fact that Felbermayr chose Goldhofer for this prestigious project,” he said. “Such transports demonstrate how important trust and technological partnership are. Together we can meet the most demanding requirements.”
Felbermayr Technical Project Manager Ingo Müller also emphasised the role of collaboration. “Without the support provided by Goldhofer and the capabilities of their products, the assignment would have been much more difficult to handle,” he said. “The combination of the collective experience of our two companies, innovative technology and perfect service made all the difference.”
Felbermayr Group operates across construction, heavy transport and lifting services, employing more than 3,300 staff at 81 locations in 17 countries. The Kühtai 2 delivery represents one of several heavy component transports required during the construction phase of the pumped storage facility.
