Steel for the energy transition in the Black Forest

SÜLZLE Stahlpartner in Dornstetten is supporting the major project to convert the Rudolf Fettweis plant of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG in Forbach with the delivery of a total of 4,200 tonnes of steel by the end of March 2027. On behalf of PORR, SÜLZLE Stahlpartner is providing around 3,000 tonnes of steel and 1,200 tonnes of steel mats for the construction of the pumped storage power plant.

EnBW is modernising its existing storage and run-of-river power plant in Forbach and converting it into a state-of-the-art pumped storage power plant. PORR Tunnelbau is realising Lot 2 ‘Construction works’, which includes the cavity construction of caverns, a water reservoir and tunnels using the mining method. The construction work, which began in autumn 2023, includes the construction of enormous underground structures. A tunnel system 5,200 metres long and a 200 million litre water reservoir will be blasted into the rock. The main tunnel alone will have a length of 946 metres and a cross-section of up to 71.72 m². Once completed, the Forbach pumped storage power plant will play a key role in the energy transition. It will be able to store surplus renewable energy by pumping water into the daily reservoir located higher up during periods of low electricity demand and using it to generate electricity when required. With a capacity of around 456 MWh in daily storage operation, the plant will make an important contribution to stabilising the electricity grid and balancing out energy demand peaks.