Sixteen Mayors from Abruzzo at the forefront of hydroelectric energy. Will they be the ones to get this completely clean source re-evaluated in the transition landscape? What is going on ? The ancient S. Angelo hydroelectric plant in Altino – managed by Acea – prompted the mayors to create an association to have more territorial benefits. The energy use of Bomba and Casoli lakes , in practice, it should give more environmental breathing space to the Municipalities of Altino, Archi, Atessa, Bomba, Casoli, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Colledimezzo, Fara San Martino, Gessopalena, Palombaro, Pennadomo, Perano, Roccascalegna, Torricella Peligna, Villa Santa Maria and Pietraferrazzana .
The news is bringing back into the debate on the development of renewable sources what for Italy has been an industrial pride for decades. The electricity production system using dams and turbines at decreasing costs. In the 20s and 30s Italy was among the first countries in the world to know how to exploit the power of water. The Abruzzo power plant entered by right among the alternative plants to refineries, pipelines, methane pipelines and coal. Like its other "sisters", it has been in operation since the 60s. You supported Italy in the big economic boom. A country that, before Enrico Mattei's ingenious intuitions on oil, was driven only by the turbines of the reservoirs.
After years of activity, however the reservoirs must be dredged, require maintenance and investment. This is what the mayors of Abruzzo are complaining about today. They do it in an incisive way, in times of historical passages also in view of the renewal of the concession. Yet Acea is a company that shares ambitious environmental objectives with attention to electricity production with sustainable processes. But the story is part of what awaits us for the next few years. And not just for what was written in the post-Covid recovery plan.
In the lakes of Bomba and Casoli maintenance and adjustments have never been performedi – explains Massimo Colonna, President of the newly formed Association of Mayors. By law, on the other hand, the manager of a large derivation for hydroelectric use is required to carry out the dredging operations of the reservoirs to restore the original capacities. We are faced with a position that is very similar to that of other territories. However, it is the real strategic and industrial theme for the next few years: maintenance with technological upgrading.
There are many power stations along the peninsula more than 4, most of them in the North. Together they generate more than 40% of renewable sources and contribute to the large-scale distribution of clean electricity. Abruzzo's stance obliges politics to prepare a medium-term plan to increase distribution capacity. If the Abruzzo Association is not enough to stimulate new business, there are also the recent conclusions Irena's meeting, the international sector agency.
On the one hand, the construction of dams around the world has been slowed down by effects on the ecosystem, on the other hand, the expert assessments concern interventions on existing reservoirs. It is the fall point to 2050 (global objective to reduce emissions into the atmosphere) to exceed that 43% of world electricity from hydroelectricity.
“Hydroelectricity will be a critical element for the decarbonisation of energy systems”, This is what Francesco La Camera claims, General Manager of Irena. To have 840 Gigawatts more in the world, it is not a priority to build new plants. Environmental sharing paths would be too complicated. The best contribution to the transition to a new energy era can come sooner from a restyling of active plants. 50% of them have been in operation for over 30 years and all suffer to respond to today's demand and needs. Of course, local communities are asking for environmental benefits, concessions and often discounts on electricity consumption. But only one concerted national programme renewal of the systems may include advantages and copious returns. The strategy included in the Recovery plan is fashionable. The program with the companies that manage the plants can also be made public regardless of the decisions of Brussels. So we just have to wait to read it.
