Forbach PSH - Extension

The Challenge

The century-old Forbach hydropower scheme in Germany’s Black Forest required a major upgrade. The goal was to develop a new 50 MW pumped-storage and 22 MW run-of-river power plant within a shared underground facility, leveraging existing reservoirs while ensuring environmental compliance, technical innovation, and integration with historical infrastructure.

The Solution

Since 2007, Tractebel Hydroprojekt has served as Owner’s Engineer, delivering pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, conceptual and basic design, permitting support, regional planning documentation, tender preparation and evaluation. Since 2024, our team has also led construction design and supervision of underground works, including as-built design for the 72 MW lower scheme.

The Impact

The project modernizes and expands Forbach’s hydropower infrastructure, adding flexible capacity to support grid stability and efficient renewable energy storage—contributing to Germany’s energy transition.