Italy is a country that loves cycling. Not only in sports competitions, from the Giro d'Italia to local races, but also in everyday cycling, thanks in part to the more than 58,000 kilometers of bicycle touring routes (including bicycle paths, cycling and pedestrian paths, and cycleways) that are present from north to south. This is an opportunity that we at Enel Green Power are also strengthening through collaboration with local communities, thereby enhancing the routes that wind past our plants. In other words, "energy bicycle routes" to be experienced on two wheels, with each cyclist going at the pace of his or her choice.
Bicycle and hydroelectricity in Lombardy
In Lombardy, we find the Alto Ticino bicycle and pedestrian path, whichruns alongside the "Enel Canal": an artificial waterway that flows from the Ticino River via the Panperduto dam in Somma Lombardo. The canal enables the production of hydroelectric power by driving the turbines of three power plants. They are namely: Vizzola Ticino, which went into operation in 1901 and features large water chutes; Tornavento, which has been producing energy since 1943; and Turbigo, which has been doing so since 1946. These plants have written the history of clean energy in Italy, contributing to the country’s development, and today they accompany cycling tourists as they discover the Alto Ticino (Upper Ticino) area.
Solar on the Via Francigena
In Piedmont, onthe other hand, it is possible to ride along part of the ancient Via Francigena (which runs all the way from Canterbury in England, through France and Italy, to Rome and Apulia). In Piedmont the section from Roppolo to Vercelli passes through the rice fields that were made famous by Silvana Mangano in the classic Italian 1949 film "Riso Amaro." It also goes by our photovoltaic plant in Trino, which is nearing completion.
The plant, which is being built on the site of a decommissioned thermal power plant, will have an installed capacity of 86 MW and will integrate a 25 MW electrochemical storage system, which can increase the resilience of the power system.
Cycling along the Via Regina
In Veneto, specifically in the province of Belluno, we find the Via Regina or Soverzene bicycle pathway,which starts from our hydroelectric plant of thesame name. It then crosses Ponte alle Alpi and reaches Farra d'Alpago on Lake Santa Croce. The Soverzene hydroelectric plant, which was completed in 1951, was built in a cave: in actual fact, it is accessed through a 500-meter-long tunnel that ends at the engine room, whose vault is decorated with allegorical frescoes on the theme of electricity.
The Nera greenway among renewables
In Umbria, near Terni, you can discover the "green heart" of Italy on the Nera Greenway: a 180-kilometer loop of unpaved trails. The route enables cycling among the Umbrian hills, amid nature and renewables, passing by the hydroelectric plants of Altolina, Triponzo, Ponte Sargano and Borgo Cerreto. These are joined by the historic Galleto Monte Sant'Angelo plant near Terni. It was built between 1926 and 1929 and is located downstream from the Marmore Falls.
Umbria is also home to Narni, where you can follow the Nera Gorge bicycle and pedestrian path. It is a short route that follows the river between Narni Scalo and Nera Montoro, passing through fairy-tale scenery that skirts natural springs, small villages and the remains of the Augustus Bridge, which dates back to the first century BC. Along the route you will encounter the Narni and Nera Montoro hydroelectric power plants, as well as the Stifone power plant.
Pathways around wind power and in Sardinia
Bicycle routes in Italy’s southern regions, on the other hand, enable you to pedal past our wind giants. For example, in Campania, in the province of Avellino, it is possible to follow the Baronia bike path which passes through our wind farms in Vallesaccarda andScampitella, among the hills and forests of the Irpinia area.
In Sardinia, in the province of Sassari, wind and water energy meet. Here you can follow the Mountain Bike trails that go from Erula and pass through the Turrina Manna wind farm before reaching the Coghinas Lake Park, where our hydroelectric plant of the same name is located.
Still in Sardinia, mention should also be made of two routes that skirt our coal-fired power plants in the Sulcis area, at the southern end of the island. The first is the Capo Altano-Portoscuso bicycle route. It’s just over two kilometers long and provides easy access to the steep cliffs of Capo Altano, where a majestic bird, the Eleonora’s Falcon, flies. This is a highly recommended area, especially on windy days, when the large waves crashing on the rocky coast create a unique spectacle. The trail goes all the way to some World War II forts. The second trail is the Carbonia–Sant'Antioco trail, which is 15 km long. It follows the old railroad track, passing through San Giovanni Suergiu, a town of Byzantine origin with ancient buildings, beautiful beaches and archaeological sites.
