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OKNew wet biotopes or amphibian water habitats, the rehabilitation of ponds, restoration of shallow water zones, revitalisation of streams, new school modules as a contribution to environmental education, enhancement of river courses, maintenance of floodplain forests, mapping of spawning areas, etc.: The list of environmental improvement and revaluation measures that have been realised since 2010 thanks to financial assistance from the Alpiq Green Fund of the Ruppoldingen hydropower plant is as long as it is diversified. It includes well over 100 projects. The projects have one thing in common: they contribute to the preservation of Switzerland’s severely threatened biodiversity. This is because they create and preserve precious habitats for a wide variety of animal and plant species or promote awareness of the importance of biodiversity.
The Ruppoldingen hydropower plant has been generating environmentally beneficial renewable energy on the Aare since 2000. Since 2010, the plant has been awarded the ‘naturemade star’ quality seal. The label is the top commendation for particularly eco-friendly energy produced from 100% renewable energy sources.
Power plants awarded the ‘naturemade star’ quality seal maintain a fund for environmental improvement measures. For every kilowatt-hour of electricity sold (guarantee of origin), 0.7 centimes (Rappen) are currently allocated to the fund. The money is earmarked and directly benefits nature and the environment. For example, the Alpiq Green Fund of the Ruppoldingen hydropower plant has been used to support environmental revaluation measures worth 7.7 million Swiss francs since its inception.
The Alpiq Green Fund of the Ruppoldingen hydropower plant supports projects aimed at environmental revaluation and improvement measures. The main focus is on water-related projects. The fund primarily finances project ideas that cannot find financing elsewhere. In the meantime, the perimeter has been expanded to the whole of Switzerland, but regional projects still take priority.
Alpiq Green Fund regulation for the Ruppoldingen power station
It is mandatory to fill out the application form. The easiest and best way to do this is online.
All additional information will help in the decision-making process (upload in the online form):
Technical report
Overview/project plans
Cost estimate/breakdown
Amount requested from the fund
Sponsors/partners: Who is financing the project and with what amounts?
Why is there a funding gap?
Ownership structure
Submission deadlines: The steering committee normally meets in mid-May and mid-November. Applications should be submitted no later than by mid-April (for the May meeting) or mid-October (for the November meeting).
Contact
Projects and measures supported with funds from the Alpiq Green Fund must lead to environmental revaluation. They should based on the latest cutting-edge environmental technology and have an optimised cost-benefit ratio.
The financing of the measures must be secured in advance. Where possible, co-financing by third parties is desired. Project development is only financed in special cases.
An independent steering committee supervises how the money in the fund is earmarked and allocated. The committee decides which projects the Alpiq Green Fund will support.
The steering committee currently consists of five representatives of cantonal agencies and environmental organisations, one environmental expert and two representatives of Alpiq Hydro Aare AG.
The ‘naturemade’ quality seal of the VUE Association for Environmentally Sound Energy certifies the quality of energy production plants. It also guarantees that the electricity customers ordered is 100% renewable – or, in the case of ‘naturemade star’, 100% eco-friendly. The criteria according to which the quality seals are awarded have been elaborated in close collaboration with energy associations as well as environmental organisations and producers.
Do you have a project idea for environmental improvement measures that meets the criteria for Green Fund support? Write to us by filling out the contact form as completely as possible!
Responsible Alpiq Green Fund
KW Ruppoldingen
Aarburgerstrasse 264
4618 Boningen
Switzerland
T: +41 62 787 69 66
Alpiq designed and built the Ruppoldingen run-of-river power plant to be as harmonious as possible with nature and aligned with the latest criteria for eco-friendly energy production. The company invested more than 20 million Swiss francs to protect the environment, but also to restore valuable nature and landscape features along the Aare river and create new ones. Shallow water zones, islands and a floodplain forest were created over a stretch of 8.4 km. In place of the old canal, a 1,200 m long fast-flowing stream was built to support aquatic life that strives in currents.
With a capacity of 23 MW and an average annual electricity production of 115 million kWh, the plant is a prime example of environmentally sound use of hydropower. The recurring performance reviews make it clear that the environment has benefited in all aspects from the construction of the new power plant. The numerous replacement and compensation measures have significantly enhanced the landscape. The various waterways provide habitats for a diverse fish and bird fauna, and the riverbanks and floodplain areas offer perfect conditions for rich flora and vegetation.