The History of Hydroelectricity
in Italy

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Hydroelectricity in Italy has a long history in connection to mechanical work, dating back to the late 19th century. The exploitation of hydroelectricity started with the water mill, whose spread was influenced by the introduction of floating mills. Hydroelectricity was abandoned upon the emergence of the steam engine powered by fossil fuels because, compared to the previous one, it encountered different difficulties, like the need to cite the plants away from inhabited areas and the rod network. Hence, this factor crippled some of the economic aspects of this type of energy production in Italy. Afterwards, the need to overcome these problems associated with its generation and utilisation stimulated the development of new types of hydraulic turbines of reliable efficiencies, such as the Francis and Pelton turbine. 

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From the early phase of industrialisation between the 1880s and 1960s, Italy relied on hydropower as one of its electricity sources. Currently, hydropower accounts for around 18 per cent of the total national electricity production and remains the second most important source of electricity. Hydropower plants produce 41% of the overall generated electric energy here: 46 TWh annually, which amounts to 16.5% of Italy's total electricity. There are 4,300 hydroelectric plants in Italy, with over 1500 people working there. The country's geography, with its numerous rivers and mountains, provided ample opportunities for the development of hydroelectric power. This energy source has played a significant role in powering the Italian economy, especially during industrialisation. The country's first hydroelectric power station was built in 1886 in the small town of Leno, in the province of Brescia. It was a small-scale plant, generating just 6 kW of power. However, it set the stage for larger-scale hydroelectric projects to come.

 

In the early 20th century, the Italian government recognised the potential of hydroelectricity and began investing in large-scale projects. One of the most notable projects was building the Vajont Dam in the 1960s. The dam, located in the Veneto region, was one of the tallest in the world at the time, standing at 262 meters. It generated significant power, but tragically, in 1963, a landslide caused a massive wave that overtopped the dam and killed over 2,000 people. Despite this disaster, Italy continued to invest in hydroelectricity, and by the 1970s, it had become the country's primary source of renewable energy. Hydroelectricity accounts for around 15% of Italy's total electricity production today.

 

Hydroelectricity has had a significant impact on Italy's landscape. The construction of dams and reservoirs has altered the natural flow of rivers and created large bodies of water. This has had both positive and negative effects on the environment. On the one hand, it has provided opportunities for recreational activities such as boating and fishing and has also helped to meet the needs of small communities or individual households. On the other hand, it has disrupted the habitats of aquatic animals and plants. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in small-scale hydroelectric projects, which can have a lower environmental impact. These projects often involve the installation of turbines in existing waterways, such as canals or streams. 

 

In conclusion, hydroelectricity has been Italy's significant renewable energy source for over a century. It has played an important role in powering the country's economy and has significantly impacted the landscape. While there have been some negative consequences, there is still great potential for developing small-scale hydroelectric projects that can positively impact the environment.

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REFERENCES

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1. Farinosi, Fabio, et al. "Tradable Certificates for Renewable Energy: The Italian Experience With Hydropower." International Conference on the European Energy Market, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1109/eem.2012.6254695.

2. "Italy's Hydroelectric Plants: The Numbers - We Build Value." We Build Value, 13 May 2021, www.webuildvalue.com/en/infrastructure-news/hydroelectric-plants-in-italy.html.

3. Rotilio, Marianna, et al. “The Small-Scale Hydropower Plants in Sites of Environmental Value: An Italian Case Study.” Sustainability, vol. 9, no. 12, MDPI AG, Nov. 2017, p. 2211. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122211.

4. Forbes, R.J. Energia motrice. In A History of Technology. Volume 2: The Mediterranean Civlizations and the Middle Ages-c.700 B.C. to A.D. 1500; Singer, C.J., Ed.; Bollati Boringhieri: Torino, Italy, 1993.

5. Smil, V. Storia Dell’energia; Il Mulino Ed.: Bologna, Italy, 2000

 

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