Wells not affected by planned Salzach power plant in Golling

On Friday, 28 March 2025, the project operators VERBUND and Salzburg AG hosted an event at Golling secondary school to provide information on the current planning status of the planned Salzach power plant in Golling. Numerous people from Golling accepted the invitation to ask their questions and discuss their concerns directly with the project operators.

Project manager Hannes Badura: ‘Most of the questions related to immission and emission control. We are currently working on the extensive documents for the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which will affect 20 different specialist areas. Protecting local residents from noise, dust and vibrations is a top priority. The project will only be submitted once all limit values have been met and a satisfactory solution has been found. During construction, the values will be monitored by continuous measurements.’

The preparatory immission and emission measurements and other accompanying investigations will continue into the summer. A frequently asked question from the last Golling energy dialogue on wells and groundwater levels has already been answered:

Wells are not affected

The effects of the power plant project on wells have largely been finalised. A comprehensive groundwater model was created for this purpose, taking into account the seasons and current fluctuations.  The groundwater level at the power plant site and in the surrounding area will not change or only change minimally. The amount of water upstream and downstream of the power plant will remain unchanged.

‘It is important to us to record all well systems in the area of the lime works and the Kaindlsiedlung to preserve evidence. We therefore ask landowners with domestic wells to report them to the municipality or the project operators,’ adds Deputy Project Manager Thomas Lebesmühlbacher.

Well notifications by email: energiedialog-golling@verbund.com or to the municipality of Golling (+43 6244 4223) gemeinde@golling.salzburg.at with name, address and telephone number

New citizens' advisory council for Golling power plant

A citizens' advisory council was established in Golling at the beginning of the year to deal with the “Salzachkraftwerk Golling” power plant project and provide an important platform for dialogue between citizens and project developers. The establishment of this advisory board is an important step towards open and transparent communication that enables local residents to contribute their concerns directly and promptly to the project development in a fully informed manner.

The members of the advisory board were nominated by the municipality and represent a wide range of opinions and interests, which ensures that the concerns of all Gollingen residents are heard. Regular meetings and information about the progress of the project create a basis for constructive dialogue.

Arno Urbanek: ‘I take part in the citizens’ advisory council because it is important to me to actively contribute our voices to the planning of the power plant. The opportunity to communicate directly with the project developers and thus influence the future of our town is an opportunity that we should seize. Only together can we ensure that the interests of the people of Gollingen are heard.’

Grid connection via underground cable

The grid connection of the planned Salzach power plant in Golling will be at the medium-voltage level in the 30 kV grid of the Golling substation. There is already an underground cable connection from the Golling substation in the direction of the planned power plant site and an overhead line connection to the Leube industrial estate. No new lines are therefore required for the power plant. The connection concept envisages replacing the existing 30 kV overhead line with an underground cable in the event of realisation, i.e. dismantling the existing overhead line and ‘cabling’ it.

Further timetable and information opportunities

The submission of the comprehensive environmental impact assessment documents is planned for autumn 2025. The assessment usually takes two to three years for projects of this kind, which means that construction cannot realistically begin until 2028 at the earliest. The construction period, including the ecological preparatory work, is up to four years.

The project operators will continue to engage with the public through the Citizens' Advisory Council, a newsletter, a project website, the Salzburg AG Infopoint at the Golling site and other dialogue events.

The planned Salzach power plant in Golling is not only an important project for the regional energy supply, but also an example of community-based planning and co-operation.