Ausbau KW Kaunertal ohne Wasser aus dem Ötztal? Wohl kaum.

esterday, just before the referendum in Sölden, TIWAG issued a statement that the water diversion plans from the Ötztal would be put on hold for now. Instead, the focus would be on prioritizing the storage in Platzertal. We are somewhere between joy and anger, and here we explain why, and what this message really means in our opinion.

The TIWAG Press Release

The newspapers headlined yesterday with “U-turn in Kaunertal Power Plant Expansion,” “TIWAG Backpedals,” and “No Water Diversions from the Ötztal.” But is that true? The TIWAG press release states:

“The expansion of the power plant project is being split into two parts. The focus is on the new pumped-storage power plant Versetz with the Platzertal reservoir […]. For the pumped-storage power plant Versetz, TIWAG is primarily aiming for a partial decision in the ongoing process. The water diversions from the Ötztal, the Prutz 2 lower-stage power plant, and the Imst 2 power plant will remain in the UVE.”

In other words: TIWAG itself says it is not changing its plans. The project documents (UVE) will still include the same components, including the planned water diversions from the Ötztal. The project has only been divided into two parts, in an attempt to first get approval for the pumped-storage facility in Platzertal. This is clearly stated in the press release. The water diversions from the Ötztal are “temporarily excluded from the project,” and nowhere does it say that they have been canceled or will not happen in the future. It is not a “backpedal,” not “no water diversions from the Ötztal,” and certainly no “U-turn at TIWAG.”

So, What Does This Mean?

The resistance from the Ötztal was too strong and too loud. The “Kaunertal Power Plant Expansion” project is obviously no longer politically viable in its original form. The fact that these headlines came out just five days before the referendum in Sölden on the water diversions is really a poorly disguised distraction tactic. Politics and TIWAG are trying to lay low and buy time, hoping that people in Sölden will be deceived and voter turnout on Sunday will be low. They hope that people in the Ötztal will lose interest, and the other initiatives will stand alone. They hope that this will weaken the resistance.

But that will not work.

The Positive Side

We can celebrate our resistance! Over the past year, it has grown unstoppable. Municipalities, associations, agricultural communities… there have been countless resolutions against the water diversions from the Ötztal and against the entire Kaunertal Power Plant expansion. In addition, many new, independent initiatives have formed—groups and individuals—who oppose the expansion project and motivate each other. All of this has worked! Anton Mattle seems to have understood that the project, in its current form, is no longer politically viable.

You Can Help!

Let’s make sure Governor Mattle knows we won’t be fooled! The media coverage yesterday showed that the project now has massive image damage and is more vulnerable than ever. Here’s a list of things you can do right now:

VOTE!
Write a letter to the editor to the Tiroler Tageszeitung, ORF, and/or the Bezirksblätter. Point out TIWAG’s press release and demand a correction. Highlight TIWAG’s underhanded tactics and/or the referendum in Sölden on Sunday.
Comment on the relevant social media posts.
Share this blog post or one of our social media posts on Facebook or Instagram.
Participate in Global 2000’s email campaign.
Write your own email to Governor Anton Mattle.
Wear your protest T-shirt.
Stick a sticker on your car or bike.