A new video highlights the Arno Project, a major hydropower initiative aimed at restoring and repurposing historic weirs along the Arno River. Led by Hydroalp in collaboration with Mecc Alte, the project integrates sustainability with cultural heritage preservation, providing clean energy for thousands of families.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Tuscany Region, covers a 55-kilometer stretch between Incisa and Le Signe. It involves 12 hydropower plants designed to generate 55 GWh of electricity annually – enough to power approximately 20,000 households while preventing 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
Hydroalp worked with EPC contractor PAC S.p.A. to design and supply power generation and automation systems for the plants. “Treating the 12 plants as a single project allowed us to optimize efficiency and impact,” Hydroalp stated.
Mecc Alte, a global leader in alternator production, provided power generation systems designed for reliability and efficiency. “Our vertically integrated production process ensures unmatched performance,” the company noted.
The project incorporates Kaplan turbines designed for easy maintenance and minimal environmental disruption. Restored weirs, originally built for mechanical power, now support sustainable water cycles, fish ladders, and large basins to protect aquatic biodiversity.
Three plants – Incisa, Compiobbi, and Traversa dell’Isolotto – are already operational. The remaining nine are under construction and set to be completed by 2025 through a project financing agreement with Iniziative Toscane.
The video showcases the technical expertise and collaboration behind the project. It highlights the commitment of Hydroalp, Mecc Alte, and other partners in advancing sustainable hydropower solutions.
Watch the full video: Clean Energy from the Arno River.
