Power plants on the Enns

Opponents mobilize: “They won’t build it here”

Schladming's mayor Hermann Trinker (left), deputy mayor Maria Drechsler and fisherman Franz Zefferer on the banks of the Enns.(Bild: Harald Steiner)

The fact that the River Enns has been targeted by energy companies has struck a nerve in the Styrian region. A citizens' initiative is forming against power plant plans and a referendum is only to be used as a last resort.

Helmut Knauß has invested a good 100,000 euros and countless hours of work in his big dream. Now everything is threatening to go down the drain: "The EU-funded 'Enns River Hiking' project is intended to attract paddlers from all over Europe. It offers a continuous, 90-kilometre trip on the Enns - a sensation today," says the Upper Styrian.

The 48-year-old, who has just finalized his online presence, speaks on behalf of an entire industry: in recent years, more and more accommodation providers along the Enns have specialized in water sports, and there are several providers of rafting, kayaking and paddling tours on the Internet. "Building a power plant would ruin an entire industry in one fell swoop," says Knauß.