The Caolo hydroelectric power plant, Italia
Operational
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The plant
The Caolo hydroelectric power plant
The Caolo hydroelectric power plant is located in the municipality of Tramutola, in the province of Potenza. It uses water from the Capo Cavolo springs with a maximum flow rate of 1.25 sq m/s and a head of 67.8 m.
The plant has more than a century of history behind it. Built in 1922, in an area at the time based mainly on an agricultural and livestock economy, it underwent extensive technological and environmental modernization in 1992.
The renovation work, completed in February 1993, was necessary to bring the building up to earthquake-resistant standards and to enable more rational plant use, marking the transition from manual to automatic plant management.
Today, the plant generates 4.5 GWh per year, meeting the energy needs of about 1,500 households and avoiding the annual emission of 2,700 metric tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Technology
Hydroelectric
Status
Operational
Power
749 kW
Operational capacity
665 kW
Energy production
4.5 GWh
(Average production on an annual basis)
CO2 emissions avoided
2,700 tons
Energy needs met
1,500 families per year
Timeline
Milestone
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Impact on local communities
The power plant takes its name from the right tributary of the Agri River, the Caolo, whose source is fed by a direct basin and an endoreic basin, i.e., two basins located at different elevations and connected by karst pathways.
The river's waters are also harnessed for irrigation and power generation, and running along its banks is a trail that is entirely surrounded by lush greenery, making it a must for hikers, who can appreciate the view of the river at the foot of the power plant.