Luxembourg is working on the rehabilitation of the hydropower plant in Rosport
Ales Krivec, Unsplash
A parliamentary enquiry into the status and prospects of the hydropower plant at Rosport revealed that the rehabilitation project is under detailed study. The interdepartmental working group includes representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environment and other government services. The process is in co-operation with the German authorities, as the Sauer River is a border river.
The main obstacles to the rehabilitation of the hydropower plant:
- Low water potential of the Sauer River, exacerbated by long dry periods.
- Possible damage to equipment due to flooding, as occurred in July 2021.
- High investment costs compared to solar and wind power.
In addition, any construction works must comply with European regulations, including the Water Directive (2000/60/CE) and the Regulation on the Restoration of Natural Areas (2024/1991). Passability for migratory fish species must also be ensured to minimise the impact on the river ecosystem.
The working group is preparing terms of reference to evaluate several options for plant modernisation, including:
- the possible amount of energy production;
- environmental impact assessment;
- Prevention of flooding in coastal zones due to sediment accumulation and rising water levels.
In parallel, the plant operator is developing protective measures against the effects of further flooding.
The canal infrastructure has been inspected and cleaned. Despite photolytic processes that can damage its surface during downtime, the risk of serious damage has been eliminated after the technical works have been carried out.
The exact timeframe for completion of the works and connection of the station to the grid is not yet known. The final decision on the project will be made only after all studies are completed and their results evaluated. At the moment, the application for concession extension has not been submitted yet.
