The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is celebrating the centenary of the Barberine hydropower dam, a pioneering structure that continues to play a vital role in supplying sustainable traction electricity for the national rail system. To mark the occasion, the association Barberine 100 has published a commemorative book and organised two exhibitions and a theatre production.
Historic milestone for rail and the region
When the Barberine dam was completed 100 years ago, it represented a turning point for the SBB, the Trient Valley, the canton of Valais and Switzerland as a whole. On 28 August 2025, SBB celebrated the anniversary with the canton, local municipalities and the Federal Office of Transport, highlighting the continuing importance of such facilities in providing sustainable energy for the rail network.
Today, the Barberine hydropower plant supplies around 15 per cent of the SBB’s electricity needs for rail operations in western Switzerland and Valais. The facility consists of the Châtelard and Vernayaz plants and provides crucial flexibility in ensuring the reliability of power supply across the network. Overall, SBB produces about 80 per cent of its traction electricity with its eight hydropower stations and five joint plants.
Cultural programme to commemorate the Barberine centenary
The Barberine 100 association has created a wide-ranging cultural programme to honour the centenary. A theatre production by Compagnie Da Capo will be staged at the Châtelard plant between 29 August and 12 October 2025, with performances every Friday to Sunday. Two exhibitions are also being held: one at the Châtelard hydropower plant and another at the Galerie Victoria in Finhaut.
In addition, historian Véronique Borgeat-Pignat has published De Barberine à Nant de Drance, a commemorative volume that charts the plant’s hundred-year history through photographs, reproductions and historical documents. Full details and tickets are available at barberine100.ch.
100 per cent renewable power for Swiss rail
Since 1 January 2025, all SBB trains have been powered entirely by renewable electricity, a milestone in the company’s sustainability journey. Most of this comes from its hydropower facilities, with the remainder purchased from renewable
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