Hydroelectric power plant historically in Heimbach / Rureifel

The Heimbach power plant is located in Heimbach in the North Eifel and was commissioned in 1905. The hydroelectric power plant draws its water from the Urft Dam via the Kermeter Tunnel, which transitions into two pressure pipes 110 m above the power plant.

The power station is still in operation today. The original equipment with eight Francis turbines, each driving its own generator of 1,500 kilowatts, was in operation for almost 70 years. The turbines were decommissioned in 1975 and replaced by two new machines with higher efficiency. Since then, the facility has an installed capacity of 16,000 kilowatts to cover peak loads. Some of the old machines remain on site as the new generators take up significantly less space.
Since 1998, the Heimbach power plant has hosted the chamber music festival "Spannungen," which has been directed by pianist Lars Vogt (deceased in 2022) until now. During the concerts, the turbines are shut down due to their noise production.
The power plant houses the RWE Industrial Museum with historical electrical devices and other attractions. Text partially taken from Rureifel Tourismus

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