Reliable hydropower from the Alps – but at what cost?

The exhibition ‘Hydropower and Resistance’ at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich traces the complex history of hydropower in Switzerland. A video installation featuring ten eyewitnesses presents personal accounts of technical achievements, environmental protests, social consequences and disasters such as the Mattmark accident of 1965. The exhibition highlights how closely energy production, the landscape and society are intertwined.

Stefan Engler, a member of the Council of States from Graubünden, explains the opportunities presented by so-called water rights and the issue of reversion: if facilities revert to the cantons, new scope for action opens up. The long-term nature of the investments remains crucial — as does the ability to store electricity; storage is set to become a key asset of the future.

Gallus Cadonau (Greina Foundation) explains the landscape levy: Municipalities can be compensated for the non-use of land over decades. His pointed remark sticks in the mind: environmentalists did not simply prevent projects – they prevented botched planning.

The human side hits hard: Vreni Zengaffinen, who lost her father in the Mattmark disaster, and Armando Lovatel, who worked on the construction site as a 16-year-old, describe the work, the fear and the danger of falling ice blocks on the access road. Thomas Burgener recalls how hard it was for his father to bear the acquittals in the court case — the legal proceedings left deep scars.

Amédée Kronig, former director of Grande Dixence, presents the ‘Gornerli’ project: retaining surplus water, protecting the valley from flooding and utilising the resource precisely when it is needed. Salome Steiner (Aquaviva) warns: “Hydropower is sustainable, but not automatically environmentally friendly.” She also explains the right of association to appeal, which allows environmental organisations to act as the voice of nature in court.

Finally, Eric Wuilloud, former director of Nant de Drance SA, clearly explains the principle of pumped storage – such as Nant de Drance – where two lakes are connected underground and surplus electricity is used to pump water uphill. The video installation makes it impressively clear: behind every turbine there is a story, and the balance between energy demand and nature conservation remains a delicate one.

Exploring in a playful way on the digital tabletop
Those who wish to delve deeper can explore historical photos, maps and documents at two interactive tables – simply by swiping and tapping. The well-presented thematic sections range from the history of hydropower and protest movements to the Mattmark disaster and the Marmorera project, in which a village disappeared into the reservoir following a democratic decision (more on this in the blog post ‘A village goes underwater’). There are also fascinating facts about pumped-storage hydropower and today’s electricity production in Switzerland. Personally, I was impressed by the presentation of financial interests in the Swiss electricity industry dating back to 1945. And for those with a competitive streak: the quiz on the touchscreen is well worth a go – my 529 points are waiting for a challenger.