The Freudenau Danube Power Plant is a run-of-river power plant on the Danube and a perfect place for children and the whole family to learn about electricity production from hydropower. The plant is located in Vienna´s 2nd district of Leopoldstadt and connects Vienna and the Danube Island. Having generated clean electricity from hydropower since 1998, the Freudenau Danube Power Plant provides electricity for 280,000 Viennese households – that’s half of all the homes in Vienna. The plant is in operation throughout the year and parts of it are accessible to visitors.
The plant was a true pioneer for ecological power plant construction and is still one of the most state-of-the-art hydroelectric power plants in the world. More than 14,000 boats pass through the power plant’s locks every year. To make it possible for the boats to pass through, the locks lift the boats by 10 meters. The entire lifting operation lasts about 20 minutes and is almost imperceptible for the passengers, though it´s a fascinating experience which can be booked from one of the exciting DDSG Boat Tours. See the “Kids On Board” – DDSG Blue Danube City Cruises for Families or the MS Vindobona, for additional information.
Guided tours are offered at the Freudenau Danube Power Plant throughout the year, including special family tours. Discounted, guided family tours are held several times a year in collaboration with WienXtra Kinderinfo. School tours can be arranged anytime. Public family tours, which you can join without pre-registration, take place every Sunday and holiday at 2 p.m.
The tours take 90 minutes and allow you to experience first-hand the fascinating world of power generation. The tour starts in the information centre, where families learn a lot of interesting information, get a behind-the-scenes look at electricity production and transmission, watch an exciting movie, and see several exhibition objects, including a giant power plant model. Afterwards, visitors get the chance to tour the plant and see and feel the power of the mighty turbines up close from as low as 30 metres below the surface of the water. This part of the tour is very dark and loud, and participants can get wet. If requested, you will be given headlamps.
Since the power plant is in active operation and generating electricity, you’ll need to strictly follow all safety rules. During the plant tour, you will need to wear a safety helmet which will be provided by the plant. No high heels, strollers or assistance animals are allowed. Persons with implanted medical devices, like a pacemaker or an insulin pump, may not take part in the tour as the electromagnetic fields may influence the functioning of the medical device.