As one of the largest mass cycling events in Switzerland, the Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet takes its environmental responsibility seriously. A key element of this is electricity, which is supplied by Elektrizitätswerk Ursern (EW Ursern) and comes from 100% renewable energy sources.
Without electricity the Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet could not run smoothly. Race headquarters would not receive calls, the food trucks could not prepare meals and there would be no announcements made to recognise participants as they cross the finish line. “We couldn’t hold an event without electricity. A reliable electricity supplier like EW Ursern is essential,” confirms Patrick Huber, Head of Project Alpenbrevet. For many years, Alpenbrevet has been working with EW Ursern who, with four hydroelectric power plants and a wind farm, provides 100% renewable energy all year round. During the four-day event in September, Alpenbrevet therefore benefits from 100% green electricity.
Hydroelectric power station on the Oberalp Pass (Photo: Valentin Luthiger)
Each of the energy plants, including the Gütsch wind farm, are located along the Alpenbrevet passes of Oberalp, Furka and Gotthard. “As participants conquer the passes and tap into their own energy reserves, we are producing electricity from renewable sources at the same location,” says Patrick Dubacher, Managing Director of EW Ursern.
Environmental sustainability is a high priority for the Alpenbrevet and its partners in other areas as well. Project Manager Huber is proud of the initiatives already implemented and believes there is potential still to be realised: “Working with local service providers to reduce transport distances, a functioning recycling concept and finisher shirts produced according to eco-standards are just a few of the measures we currently have in place. To further reduce emissions, we are strengthening our cooperation with the railway companies that operate to Andermatt. Participants should travel more by public transport and avoid using their cars. As organizers, there is still a lot of progress we can make in this area.”
