Energie AG and Hochkönig Bergbahnen have announced plans to develop a pumped storage power plant in the Mühlbach/Dienten area that will rely on an existing ski-area snowmaking reservoir as its upper basin. The Dachegg reservoir, currently used for winter snow production, has already been approved for expansion from 70,000 to 180,000 cubic metres and will be operated year-round for energy storage.
The project will make use of existing pipelines and infrastructure from the Hochkönig ski area, allowing the plant to serve both snowmaking needs in winter and pumped storage operations throughout the year. Energie AG CEO Leonhard Schitter said the initiative demonstrates how Alpine infrastructure can be adapted for renewable energy integration, while Hochkönig Bergbahnen Managing Director Angela Haslinger noted that the project supports both climate goals and tourism operations.
According to Energie AG, the planned facility will have a turbine output of just under 15MW and a pumping capacity of about 20MW. With an upper basin of 180,000m3 and a lower basin of roughly 100,000m3, the plant is designed for 8 to 10 hours of generation at full load. The expected head is approximately 550m.
The partners are finalising the preliminary technical design, with project submission planned for summer 2026. Construction could begin in 2027 subject to permitting. Both companies describe the snowmaking reservoir project as a model for resource-efficient storage solutions in Alpine regions, combining existing tourism infrastructure with flexible grid support.
