Facts
The Kraftwerke Zervreila AG (KWZ) operates four hydropower plants in the Valsertal and Safiental valleys. They applied for a concession to divert water from five streams in the upper Lugnez valley into the existing Zervreila compensation basin, in order to increase electricity production by around 80 GWh (15%) per year. Environmental and nature conservation organizations filed a complaint against this concession application.Considerations
The Federal Court decided as follows:- The "Lugnez Diversion" project does not constitute a significant modification of the existing concessions that would require a new concession for the entire plant. However, the environmental impacts cannot be considered in isolation, but must be assessed in connection with the existing facilities, as the new water withdrawals form an operational and functional unit with the existing power plants.
- In assessing the environmental compatibility of the project, remediation measures for the existing facilities must also be taken into…