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The plant
The “Carlo Fascetti” hydroelectric power plant
The “Carlo Fascetti” power plant was completed in 1952. It’s located in the Valcimarra hamlet in Caldarola, a municipality in the province of Macerata, in the Marche. It was named after the engineer Carlo Fascetti, who worked on numerous hydroelectric plants, including this one. The plant is the largest in the Marche region in terms of installed capacity. It’s composed of three generating units and consists of two branches, from two rivers: one comes from the Chienti (the Polverina dam); the other from the Fiastrone (the Fiastra dam, which is located in the Monti Sibillini National Park).
Technology
Hydroelectric
Status
Operational
Operational capacity
42.5 MW
Energy production
49 GWh per year
CO2 emissions avoided
Approximately 22,000 tons per year
Energy needs met
Approximately 18,000 households per year
Timeline
Milestone
Impact on local communities
The Valcimarra power plant is located in the hinterland of the city of Macerata, while the Polverina and Fiastra dams are a sports and nature attraction. Thanks to agreements with local stakeholders, it’s possible to swim and practice water sports in the lake and to access nature trails along the banks of the Polverina reservoir. The Valcimarra power plant is often the subject of guided tours for schools.
The lakeside beach, which was created with the construction of the dam, has become a destination for thousands of tourists, particularly in the summertime, and has twice been voted best beach in the Marche region. In 2023 it also received a score of 4 out of 5 “sails” (or points) in the specific ranking compiled by Legambiente's Goletta Verde Laghi (literally, “Green Lakes Schooner,” which is run by Legambiente, a leading Italian environmental organization).