But more water does not necessarily lead to increased power production from this source. Several rivers, such as the Aare, are raging too hard for hydropower plants to cope with.
Six river power plants run by provider BKW have been forced to shut down temporarily, company spokesman Stefan Bütler told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.
“Many systems are running at half capacity. A few are completely switched off. I would estimate that we are currently running at about 40% production,” he said.
The Eglisau hydroelectric power plant on the river Rhine in northwest Switzerland is running at 20% capacity, said operators Axpo.
The problem is threefold: turbines are not designed to cope with such powerful water flow; in some areas flood prevention systems divert excess water away from the normal course of the river; and there is a fear that rivers will pick up debris as they burst their banks, risking damage to turbines.
Still enough energy production
However, there is currently little fear that reduced capacity of hydropower plants will result in electricity shortfalls, according to the Swiss Federal Office for Energy.
Storage and pump storage plants have more than enough capacity to compensate for the reduced operations of plants that run in flowing rivers. These facilities also compensate in winter when rivers are less full, Christian Dupraz, Head of Hydropower at the energy ministry told SWI swissinfo.ch.
While rivers in high spate are causing problems in some parts of Switzerland, this is not the case across the whole country, he added.
“Switzerland exports electricity during the summer months, so while there is currently a reduction in exports there is no shortage of electricity,” Axpo spokesman Nöel Graber told SWI swissinfo.ch.
“Even if the rain continued for weeks, there would be no problem meeting electricity demand.”
The heavy rainfall that has caused disruption in Switzerland and surrounding countries, is forecast to ease over the weekend with sunnier weather expected next week.
More
More
Water levels drop at most Swiss lakes and rivers
This content was published on
The weather is improving and water levels at most Swiss lakes and rivers are on the decline.
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
This content was published on
Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2024
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
This content was published on
Is Switzerland, one of the world’s most environmentally conscious societies, in danger of moving backwards on green projects?
This content was published on
Last year three-quarters of the electricity from Swiss sockets came from renewable sources, with 66% from large-scale hydropower plants.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.