In August, the PORR tunnel construction team made significant progress in Forbach. After breaking through from the cavern to the Schwarzenbach underwater tunnel in the middle of the month, raise boring work began on the Murg shaft just a few days later. Myriam Scharer, team assistant in the tunnel construction division, was recruited as tunnel patron for this section. The work was completed in less than three weeks.

Progress in the cavern

At the same time, work is continuing in the cavern. Concrete work has been underway there since the beginning of September. Another highlight followed in mid-September: the breakthrough of the main tunnel between the cavern water reservoir and the outlet structure was successfully completed. With a length of 1,010 meters, this is the longest tunnel in the project – its breakthrough marks a symbolic moment in the overall project. Excavation in the cavern is also expected to be fully completed by the end of September.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of all those involved, the project remains on schedule. From 2027, the new pumped storage power plant will make a decisive contribution to the flexibility of the electricity supply and the stability of the power grid, sending a strong signal for the future of energy in Baden-Württemberg.