Fervento hydroelectric power plant
Fervento hydroelectric power plant
Operational
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The Plant
Fervento hydroelectric power plant
The Fervento plant entered into operation in 1925 and uses water collected in the Rimasco reservoir, on the Sermenza River, in order to generate electricity. The hydroelectric plant—an example of a historical facility that’s still in operation and which represents 20th-century Italian "industrial archeology" —is equipped with three horizontal-axis Francis turbine units. It is located in the hamlet of Fervento, in the municipality of Boccioleto (Vercelli), in a valley adjacent to Valsesia. The area is dotted with churches, oratories and chapels that preserve a rich and extensive heritage of frescoes.
Technology
Hydroelectric
Status
Operational
Power
3.9 MW
Energy production
16 GWh per year
(Estimated average production)
Energy needs
5,333 households per year
CO2 emissions avoided
9,600 tons
Timeline
Milestone
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Impact on local communities
The Sermenza Valley is a popular summer destination for tourists. The Rimasco reservoir (located in the municipality of Alto Sermenza) has become an integral part of the landscape, enhancing the surrounding panorama. By removing some of the rocky material that had accumulated over time in the basin, it was possible to create a fill area at the end of the lake, where an accommodation facility and a campground were built. The lake is also popular with anglers. Fishing is managed and regulated by a local association.