Arno River Powers Florence: 25% of City’s Energy from Hydropower

After two years of construction, Florence will inaugurate soon its second urban hydroelectric plant on the Arno River, located at the San Niccolò weir. The facility joins the first plant opened at the Isolotto in early 2024, completing the city’s ambitious project to harness the river for renewable energy.

In total, 13 weirs along the Arno between Incisa Valdarno and Lastra a Signa are being refurbished, with 12 turbines installed to generate 55 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is equivalent to the needs of about 20,000 households and will cover roughly 25% of Florence’s total energy consumption. The overall investment amounts to 80 million euros.

The San Niccolò site is more than just a power station. The works have included ecological upgrades to protect fish populations and urban improvements that will enhance the riverside terrace dedicated to Florentine singer-songwriter Riccardo Marasco. The area is expected to become a new point of attraction for both residents and visitors. A future highlight will be the planned Water Museum, to be established near the weir in the former aqueduct structures.

The reference to Riccardo Marasco is also a reminder of his ironic ballad about the Arno flood, a song that turned a moment of tragedy into a piece of popular satire. Floods have always been part of Florence’s history, shaping both the city and its collective imagination. The last catastrophic flood was the flood of 1966, when the river overflowed and devastated the historic center, damaging thousands of artworks and buildings.

Remembering that past while inaugurating a plant that turns the Arno into a source of clean energy creates a striking contrast: the same river that once brought destruction is now at the heart of Florence’s ecological transition.

The project illustrates how Florence try to combine heritage and innovation: the Arno, long a symbol of the city’s identity, now plays a decisive role in its ecological transition. With its hydroelectric network soon fully operational, Florence demonstrates that historic landscapes can actively contribute to the fight against climate change.

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