SBB’s Barberine Dam: 100 Years of Sustainable Swiss Rail

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Introduction

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) marked the centenary of the Barberine hydropower dam on August 28, 2025, a facility that provides approximately 15 percent of the SBB’s electricity needs for rail operations in western Switzerland and Valais. The anniversary was celebrated with the canton, local municipalities, and the Federal Office of Transport, highlighting the dam’s continuing role in supplying sustainable energy for the rail network.

Background of the Barberine Dam

The Barberine hydropower dam, completed 100 years ago, marked a significant development for the SBB, the Trient Valley, the canton of Valais, and Switzerland. The dam’s completion represented a pivotal moment in the region’s history.

Electricity Supply and Operations

The Barberine hydropower plant, which includes the Châtelard and Vernayaz plants, currently supplies around 15 percent of the SBB’s electricity needs for rail operations in western Switzerland and Valais. This facility plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of power supply across the network. Overall, SBB generates about 80 percent of its traction electricity through its eight hydropower stations and five joint plants.

Centenary Celebrations and Cultural Events

The Barberine 100 association organized a cultural program to commemorate the centenary. This included a theatre production by Compagnie Da Capo, staged at the Châtelard plant from August 29 to October 12, 2025, with performances every Friday to Sunday. Additionally, two exhibitions are being held, one at the Châtelard hydropower plant and another at the Galerie Victoria in Finhaut.

Commemorative Publications

Historian Véronique Borgeat-Pignat published a commemorative volume titled De Barberine à Nant de Drance. This volume documents the plant’s history through photographs, reproductions, and historical documents. Full details and tickets are available at barberine100.ch.

Conclusion

The SBB celebrated the centenary of the Barberine hydropower dam, a facility that has been crucial in supplying sustainable traction electricity for the national rail system. The celebrations included cultural events and a commemorative publication, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and its commitment to renewable energy.

Company Summary

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB): The national railway company of Switzerland, responsible for operating the country’s rail network and producing a significant portion of its traction electricity from hydropower sources.

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