Walchensee Power Station: Technology and Visit

The Walchensee power station opened in 1924 and was an early large German hydropower project, championed by the engineer Oskar von Miller.

How it works

Walchensee sits about 200 m above Kochelsee. Water runs through a tunnel and big pressure pipes down to the turbines on Kochelsee’s shore. It is not pumped storage: water is not pumped back up.

Getting there

The plant stands between Kochel and the Kesselberg. A turning off the road to Walchensee leads to the car park, a few minutes’ walk away. From Kochel you can also walk along the shore.

What to see

The visitor centre explains the technology and history, and you can see the machine hall. Check opening times with the operator before you go.