EIA for Kaunertal Power Plant Expansion – Part 1 Has Begun

Public Display of EIA Documents for Project Part 1 – Platzertal Reservoir and Versetz Pumped Storage

Today, July 14, 2025, the documents for the first part of the Kaunertal Power Plant expansion project were “publicly displayed.” This means, first, that the public portion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Project Part 1 – Platzertal Reservoir and Versetz Pumped Storage – officially begins today. It also means that today marks the start of the period during which citizens can form initiatives and submit comments.

Public display period: July 14 – September 12, 2025

“Anyone” can submit a statement to the state

Until September 12, written comments on the plans can be submitted to the authorities. Anyone may do so – individuals, associations, organizations, and companies. And of course, “anyone” includes women. These statements can address the Environmental Impact Statement itself or concern “Procedure Part 1” more broadly – meaning the Platzertal Reservoir and the Versetz Pumped Storage plant and everything related to them. Write down how you (or your association, company, etc.) are directly negatively affected by the project. While submitting such a statement does not grant you formal party status in the proceedings, it is still very valuable for the process if everyone with concerns speaks up. This helps make visible how wide-ranging the consequences of the project could be for Tyrolean society.

Citizen initiatives must now be formed

The municipalities of Fendels, Kaunertal, Pfunds, Tösens, and Prutz are directly affected by the project (host municipalities), and during the display period, citizen initiatives can be formed in these areas. This requires:

A statement covering all the topics that the initiative later wants to raise as objections.
At least 200 signatures from residents of the municipality and neighboring municipality for that specific statement.
After being granted party status, detailed objections against the project.

You can find a detailed guide from Ökobüro on what to consider when founding a citizen initiative – it’s very helpful.

Party status for neighbors living close to the project

If you live near the project site, you can also obtain party status. You must explain what personal disadvantages you would suffer due to the project or construction, such as disturbances or hazards. Examples include noise, traffic, dust, or safety concerns. A statement must be submitted within the display period and must include:

An explicit request for party status as a neighbor
The exact property affected and its location in relation to relevant parts of the project or construction site
A detailed explanation of how you are personally affected

Where can you find the documents?

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS – a large portion of the project documents), the official notice (which signals the start of the process and outlines your rights), and a few other documents are available for download from the State of Tyrol’s official publication page.

Here is the edict that summarizes the most important information in official bureaucratic language (in German):

Edikt__Oeffentliche_Auflage__Ausbau Herunterladen

Where to send statements?

By mail to:
Tyrolean Provincial Government, Department of Environmental Protection, Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz 3, 6020 Innsbruck

Or by email to: umweltschutz@tirol.gv.at

Ask for confirmation of receipt.

Feel free to send a copy separately to us by email – we’ll publish the statement on our website.

We are the public!

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that the project is now “in proceedings.” We are the public, and this participation process is for us. It’s important that everyone exercises their rights – especially since the ÖVP and TIWAG are doing everything they can to prevent that.

If you have any questions, feel free to write to us at: info@wet-tirol.at