At the Kühtai 2 power plant site in the Austrian Alps, operator Maik Jacobi and his Volvo A45 articulated hauler are building the renewable energy infrastructure of tomorrow – one 42-tonne load at a time.
High in the Austrian Alps, where gradients reach 40% and winter conditions push equipment to its limits, a new generation of construction is underway. The Kühtai 2 power plant represents one of Austria’s most ambitious renewable energy projects- a state-of-the-art facility featuring a new reservoir with rockfill dam, tributary tunnel with six water catchments, and modern storage power plant.
It’s the kind of project that requires the right combination: skilled operators, reliable partners, and equipment engineered to perform when conditions get extreme – all aligned with Volvo Construction Equipment’s purpose to build the world we want to live in.
For Maik Jacobi, an articulated hauler operator with Swietelsky, April 2025 marked a turning point. That’s when the new Volvo A45 haulers arrived on site to join a fleet of 26 Volvo haulers ranging from the A25 to A60. Five of the new generation A45s immediately went into continuous operation.
Jacobi’s mission is clear: transport filter material for dam construction from the quarry up to the rockfill dam. Each cycle means 42 tons of material navigating steep alpine terrain at over 2,100 meters elevation, then returning for the next load. It’s repetitive work that demands consistent performance in conditions that are anything but routine.
The A45 delivers. With gradients regularly hitting 35-40%, the hauler’s powertrain and drivetrain work in harmony to maintain momentum and control. “In the steep terrain, the Volvo machines are top-notch,” says Jacobi. “They come up the steep mountains.”
Despite the tough operating conditions, Jacobi is extremely satisfied with his vehicle: “The comfort in the dumper is quite good,” he says. “Riding the 45 mm body is simply fine because it has air suspension.”
Especially in winter, when snow and ice significantly increase the risk of slipping, the ride comfort pays off directly in terms of safety and relief for the driver. The Volvo A45 proves itself here in extremely steep terrain – with gradients of around 35 to 40%.
Visibility is another critical advantage. The A45’s cab features wide windows and a flat, relatively short hood design that gives Jacobi excellent sightlines forward and to both sides – crucial when maneuvering near excavators, loaders, and other equipment in tight spaces.
When daylight fades or weather closes in – common occurrences at this altitude – the A45’s modern LED headlights cut through fog, snow, and twilight. In alpine conditions where twilight, fog, and changing weather are the order of the day, good lighting makes an enormous difference. Clear visibility means safe, precise work.
A project of this scale depends on more than capable machines – it requires a support network that keeps equipment running and downtime minimized. That’s where Ascendum Baumaschinen Austria comes in, demonstrating the trust that defines Volvo CE’s brand values.
With technicians stationed directly at the Kühtai site, Ascendum provides on-the-ground service for the entire Volvo fleet. Preventive maintenance, rapid response to issues, and parts availability ensure the A45s and other Volvo machines maintain peak operational readiness.
“The Ascendum technicians who are working in Kühtai are excellent,” Jacobi says. “They do their job at the highest level.”
The Kühtai 2 power plant represents more than engineering achievement – it’s infrastructure for a sustainable future. Projects of this magnitude require equipment that performs under extreme conditions, operators who bring skill and dedication to their work, and service partners who ensure maximum uptime.
The Volvo A45’s combination of high payload capacity, powerful engine, 45mm air suspension, excellent visibility, modern LED lighting, and all-terrain capability makes it ideally suited for this mission. And with 26 Volvo articulated haulers working across the Kühtai site, the machines are proving their value load by load, day by day with maximum operational readiness under extreme conditions.
