TOURISM OFFICE
Ponte 4 - 28863 Formazza (VB)
Tel. +39 0324 63059
Email: prolocoformazza@gmail.com
OPENING HOURS
Tourist Office opening hours from September 1st to May 31st
Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm
Friday and Saturday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 6pm
Sunday from 10 to 12:30
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HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
The Formazza Valley is the beating heart of Piedmont's hydroelectric power and one of the symbolic areas of the so-called "hydroelectric colonization of Ossola," a phenomenon that began in the early 20th century and radically transformed the Alpine landscape and the local economy. Here, amid glaciers, alpine lakes, and steep gradients, water became energy, giving rise to an extraordinary complex of dams, reservoirs, and hydroelectric power plants, capable of fueling the industrial development of northern Italy.
The province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (VCO), nestled between the Lepontine and Pennine Alps, is characterized by a large presence of alpine lakes. Many of these are artificial basins, created to optimize hydroelectric production at a time when hydroelectric power—white coal—was a major resource for industrial development.
Of the 32 artificial basins, only 14 were built on pre-existing natural lakes. The others were built to power power plants that today represent an engineering and historical heritage of extraordinary value.
The use of water for energy purposes began as early as the late 19th century, but it was in the early 20th century that the Val Formazza became the undisputed leader. With over 66% of its land non-productive due to the high altitude, the valley was perfectly suited for hydroelectric production.
The first to recognize this potential was Ettore Conti, a young entrepreneur destined to become a key figure in the Italian electricity industry. In 1901, he founded the Società Anonima per Imprese Elettriche Conti, linked to Edison.
From that moment, a series of projects and construction sites led to the creation of some of the most important plants in the valley:
Rivasco Power Plant (1908): it harnessed the waters of the Toce with a 345-meter drop, generating 9,200 kW.
Goglio Power Plant: it used the Devero stream and the Codelago and Pianboglio basins (later decommissioned).
Sottofrua Power Plant (1924): with a capacity of 7,500 kW, it utilized the Valtoggia basin and Toggia and Lago Nero lakes.
Valdo Power Plant (1920s): with 11,000 kW, later integrated into the Ponte system.
Cadarese Power Plant (1928): one of the most powerful, producing 56,000 kW thanks to a 7 km long rock-hewn conduit.
Morasco Power Plant (1957): entirely built inside a tunnel, it was the valley's first automated power plant, with remote control from Ponte.