For five years now, Primeo Energie has been operating the heating plant in Einsiedeln, Start Hub of the 2023 Tour de Suisse. In addition to the Abbey, various other buildings are also supplied with heat. We take a look behind the scenes and talk to Michael Schneider, Managing Director of Primeo Wärme AG, about the plant.
“The plant supplies Einsiedeln with renewable energy in the form of heat,” explains Michael Schneider from inside the facility, which has a special ambient sound. Waste wood and, in the future, forest wood from the surrounding area will power the plant, meaning that the materials are sourced and used locally. State-of-the-art technology and large filter systems remove the dust caused by the plant from the air. In this way Einsiedeln can be supplied with clean heat. “In the last 5 years, the thermal plant has gradually increased output. Today it has a capacity load of about 60 per cent,” Schneider continues. Over the next few years, the aim is to reach full capacity, so encouraging the development of further projects of a similar nature.
Einsiedeln Abbey as the Largest Consumer
The Abbey, which is only a few metres away from the plant, is the largest consumer of the heat produced. On Sunday 11th June 2023, the start and finish area of Stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse is located around the Abbey. “Following on from 2019 we are very pleased to be able to host the Tour de Suisse again this year,” says Alois Oberholzer, President of the Organising Committee of the Host City of Einsiedeln. Another important partner for the local Organising Committee is Energie Einsiedeln AG, participating as a sponsor. From mid-June 2023, Primeo Energie will integrate their thermal power production with Energie Einsiedeln AG making it an important part of the energy network.
Sustainability is a Major Topic for Host City Einsiedeln as well
“Sustainability is an important pillar in Primeo Energie’s business strategy,” says Michael Schneider. Currently 50 per cent of Primeo’s portfolio in heat production is renewable. With the support of Primeo Energie, the Tour de Suisse also aims to set a good example and halve its CO2 emissions by 2027. To achieve this, Host Cities such as Einsiedeln are also making an important contribution. OC President Oberholzer says: “For example we recommend that all spectators come to the start of this year’s Tour de Suisse in Einsiedeln by public transport. To this end we have specifically increased the transport capacities of the public transport system”.
