Electricity for 15,000 households from the largest open-space solar panels in Switzerland. A project launched on Friday by the Bernese energy company BKW and Bern Airport promises nothing less.
Photovoltaic panels will be installed on 25 hectares next to the runway of the regional airport. According to a feasibility study, up to 35 gigawatt hours of electricity can be generated there per year, a third of that in winter. The investment costs for the Belpmoossolar project amount to around 30 million Swiss francs, according to the press release of the two companies.
Potentially not only in the Alps
Especially in the Alps, gigantic solar systems have been the subject of discussion in recent months. Showpieces are the planned systems in Gondo US and Grengiols US. Because from there it is hoped to get solar energy in winter, which is especially important because Switzerland has to import part of its electricity in winter.
However, according to BKW and Bern Airport, their project shows that there are also suitable locations for large open-space systems in the Mittelland. Bern would not be the first airport to produce solar energy on its site. Vienna Airport already has an open-air facility of similar dimensions.
An advantage is certainly that the connection to the electricity grid is easier and therefore cheaper to arrange than in the high Alps, where the necessary cables must first be laid. The project also makes sense from another point of view: there is no agricultural land in the airport area and no other use is possible for planning and aviation reasons – at least as long as the airport exists.
Canton wants to move forward quickly
Now the project planning and approval phase begins. From now on, Bern Airport and BKW depend on a quick handling of the procedures. The first discussions with the responsible authorities have already taken place. And apparently they went well.
“The canton of Bern has a great deal of interest in the expansion of renewable energy,” says government councilor Evi Allemann (44, SP). And at Bern-Belp Airport, the legal zoning conditions are favourable. “We will therefore get started as soon as possible with the anchoring in the structure plan of the canton, including weighing of interests, to create a good basis for the project.”
Electricity will probably flow from 2028
The city of Bern is also responding positively: the project is in line with the city’s sustainability objectives and will lead to a higher building interest. “As a landowner, we will play a constructive role in the further project work,” says councilor Michael Aebersold (60, SP), chairman of the municipal fund for soil and housing policy.
Benjamin Marti (52, SVP), mayor of Belp, is very enthusiastic: “Belp makes an important contribution to achieving the climate goals at a central location in the Mittelland. The airport community will fully support the project,” he says.
BKW expects the approval process for the city and canton to take about three to four years. Construction time is expected to be nine to twelve months. This means: from 2028, electricity must flow from the Belpmoos. (sf)