On 25 August 2008, the Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications granted a building permit to Nate de Drance SA for the construction of the plant with a 600 MW design.
Preliminary construction began in September 2008 but a concession was granted in April 2011 which allowed for a larger 900 MW plant.
Excavation of the tunnels began in 2009 and the caverns commenced in 2010.
Raising of the upper Vieux Emosson Dam began in Spring 2013 and should be done by the end of 2015.
The underground power house excavation was complete in April 2014.
The first generators should be tested in 2017 with all six commissioned between 2018 and 2021.

In December 2014, at the International Tunnelling & Underground Space Awards, the project was awarded the Major Tunnelling Project of the Year award in the category of projects over US$500 million.
On 25 August 2008, the Swiss Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications granted a building permit to Nate de Drance SA for the construction of the plant with a 600 MW design. Preliminary construction began in September 2008 but a concession was granted in April 2011 which allowed for a larger 900 MW plant. Excavation of the tunnels began in 2009 and the caverns commenced in 2010. Raising of the upper Vieux Emosson Dam began in Spring 2013 and should be done by the end of 2015. The underground power house excavation was complete in April 2014. The first generators should be tested in 2017 with all six commissioned between 2018 and 2021.
In December 2014, at the International Tunnelling & Underground Space Awards, the project was awarded the Major Tunnelling Project of the Year award in the category of projects over US$500 million.
Nant de Drance Hydropower Plant