100 % green energy
We have been covering all our electricity needs with green ‘naturemade star’ electricity since 2013 – and, in so doing, are taking a resolute stand for the environment. 64 % comes from the drinking water power plant in Sachseln and 31 % from the power plant in Sarnen. We generate the remaining 5 % ourselves thanks to our 1,000 m2 PV system on the roof of the company’s premises.
Pioneers in the field of electricity
Our aim was for our electricity to be produced locally and to have as little negative impact on nature as possible.
As a result, we introduced the idea of using drinking water to local utility companies back in 1995. When upgrades were made to the drinking water system in Sachseln, we asked ourselves: ‘Why not use the gradient in the drinking water supply to generate electricity?’
The result was the ‘Sachseln drinking water turbine’ – the most environmentally friendly form of electricity production, as it does not require any additional intervention in the natural world. In 2008, the first green electricity was purchased from this drinking water power plant in Sachseln.
As the amount of electricity generated was not enough to produce our Müesli, EWO started supplying the remainder from Sarnen’s drinking water supply in 2013. It took a great deal of work before we were able to draw electricity from the two drinking water power plants.
naturemade star
The ‘naturemade star’ seal of quality sees nature and the climate benefit twice over. Our hydropower plants meet strict requirements for the protection of plants and animals, but every kilowatt-hour of electricity also supports the eco fund, which returns bodies of water back to nature and creates new habitats.
naturemade star seal of quality
We source 100% green electricity with the naturemade star seal of quality from two local drinking water power plants. This quality seal sees nature and the environment benefit twice over! On the one hand, the Sachseln and Sarnen drinking water power plants are subject to strict environmental regulations to protect plants and animals. And on the other hand, 0.7 centimes per kilowatt-hour of naturemade star electricity sold goes into an eco fund.
136 km of rivers and lakeshores as well as 362 hectares of habitats (equivalent to 500 football fields) have been revitalised or created since this eco fund was set up in 2000.
One successful example of this is the reinvigorated wetlands at Chly Rhy. Wetlands serve as habitats for an impressive variety of plants and animals, but many of them have been destroyed in the last 200 years. Renaturation is helping to reverse this trend.
