Eel recovery in Elbe river, Germany
In the area of the Geesthacht pumped storage plant, above the Geesthacht fish ladder, the Elbe serves as a lower basin for the pumped storage operation.
Short facts
- Elbe river, Germany
- European eel
- Positively influence the fish population with a special focus on European eel
- 2014–2025
The operation of the pumped storage plant can negatively impact the fish population, particularly the sensitive European eel species.
A fish-friendly operational model has been implemented, reducing pump activities during August and September to positively influence the fish population. Additionally, an agreement with the local environmental ministry provides financial support since 2015 dedicated to recovery measures for the European eel, aiming to stabilise eel stocks in the Elbe river.
In Q1 2025 the ministry will provide Vattenfall a report with the efficiency of the stocking measures, to decide the further financial support.
More about biodiversity
Biodiversity and nature protection are a priority at Vattenfall. It is one of the focus areas in our environmental policy and therefore also a central part in our environmental work.
See also
Restoration of Juktån
The river Juktån served as a timber transport route in the early 20th century.
Voluntary protected areas around hydro plants
The properties around Vattenfall’s hydropower plants hold high biodiversity values.
Coexisting with capercaillie: innovative forestry methods at Bruzaholm wind farm
At the Bruzaholm wind farm in Sweden, a new approach for balancing wind power and capercaillie conservation was developed.