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The project
The Romeo Melli hydroelectric power plant in Farneta
This plant is located in Molino di Farneta in the municipality of Montefiorino (Modena), in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Built between 1924 and 1928, it is named after engineer Romeo Melli (1874-1927), who was director of SEEE (Società Emiliana di Esercizi Elettrici, or: Emilian Society of Electrical Exercises) and one of the technicians who most involved in the development of the plant. It’s an earthquake-proof building in the Liberty style, with an impressive turbine hall paved in Verona marble. It takes advantage of a 330-meter drop from the forebay located at Farneta, from which twin penstock pipelines depart. Its initial purpose was to supply power, through SEEE's networks, to the water-scoop plants of the reclamation consortia in the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara and Mantua and to carry out power exchanges between networks of different frequencies.
Technology
Hydroelectric
Status
Operational
Operating Capacity
30.3 MW
Energy production:
40 GWh annually
Average production achieved in the last three representative years.
CO2 emissions avoided
about 18,204 metric tons
Energy needs met
about 15,000 households per year
Timeline
Milestones
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Impact on local communities
The power plant is located within two protected areas: the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park and the High Modenese Apennines Regional Park, managed by the Management Authority for Parks and Biodiversity in Central Emilia. In addition, as part of enhancement initiatives for the local area, in collaboration with these entities, the "Cartoguida Farneta" (“Farneta Map & Guide”) was produced: it’s a tourist map that indicates a network of trails in the area near the power plant that can be traveled on foot, horseback or mountain bike.
Since 2021, the whole area has been part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserve program, which promotes the balance between humans and the environment through biodiversity protection and best practices for sustainable development.