Hydroelectric plant in the Enza Valley

Production of renewable energy, mini-hydro plant, land and environment

A new hydroelectric plant was created using the level difference between the state owned canal and the bed of the Enza River once permission from the regional government had been obtained for the production of renewable energy. The installation has a level difference of 14.35 m and an average and maximum flow of 1,4 m³/s and 3 m³/s respectively, a power production of 197 kW and maximum power of 340 kW. Estimated annual production is around 1.210.600 kWh, thus avoiding the emission of 620 t of CO2 into the air every year.

The plant is just downstream from the divider at Fontaneto and the waters flows back into the river after passing through the turbines. The intake is on the left bank of the canal and, thanks to a 90 m fiberglass pipe with a diameter of 1300mm, the water goes into the installation where there is a vertical-axis, double-regulation Kaplan reaction turbine that can maximise the performance of the plant.