ENEL hydroelectric plant
The Enel Green Power Information Centre, located at the "L. Einaudi" hydroelectric power station in Entracque, is open to visitors, schools and anyone curious to discover the secrets of the Valle Gesso dams and how Italy's largest pumped storage hydroelectric plant works. Inside, visitors will find information on the protected area and the power station, explanatory panels, models and videos that provide an easy and entertaining way to understand how the power station works.
The Information Centre is the starting point for guided tours (booking required) of the Enel Green Power "L. Einaudi" power station, built inside a huge cavern dug into the rock of Monte Ray and accessed by an electric train, while the rooms on the upper floor of the Information Centre house the permanent exhibition "The Last Glaciers: climate change in the Mediterranean Alps".
The power station
The Entracque power station, named after former President of the Republic Luigi Einaudi, is located in the municipality of Entracque in the province of Cuneo and is the largest hydroelectric plant in Italy and one of the most powerful in Europe. More than 1,300,000 cubic metres of earth and rock were excavated to build the plant, tunnels, shafts, and other structures, and 750,000 cubic metres of concrete were used to harness the force of water (360,000 for the Chiotas dam alone).
Information Centre
The information centre has been a centre for environmental education and training for many years. Thanks to the valuable collaboration between Enel Green Power and the Alpi Marittime Park Authority, in addition to the visit to the power station, which can be booked in advance, it also offers experiences with workshops on environmental education, renewable energy, sustainability and the circular economy.
A recharging station for e-bikes is available here free of charge for all those who want to reach the power station by electric bike, a sign of a further step towards increasingly sustainable tourism for the area. The new space for educational workshops makes the Enel visitor centre even more complete and attractive, and manifests Enel's desire to play an active role in the development of the Gesso Valley, in close collaboration with the Park, the Municipality of Entracque and the cooperative.
Inside the centre's premises, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit "Ultimi Ghiacci: cambiamenti climatici nelle Alpi del Mediterraneo" (The Last Glaciers: climate changes in the Mediterranean Alps), an exhibition dedicated to the climate crisis with particular reference to the local territory
Useful information
Please note that there is Radon gas in the premises,visitors will be asked to sign that they are aware of this.
Pregnant women and pacemaker wearers are not allowed to visit.
Handicapped persons with folding mobile aids are allowed access to the centre.
Tariffs
Private access
Admission (from 3 years of age): 5€ per person
Under 3 years of age: free
The entrance fee includes a visit to the machine rooms of the Power Station (ap-proximately 30 minutes).
School access
Admission: 2€ per person, with a minimum of €50 if groups are smaller than 25 children.
The entrance fee includes a visit to the Power Station's engine rooms (approx. 30 minutes).
Opening
Visits to the Enel Green Power Plant "Einaudi" (by reservation only)
DECEMBER 2025
Only on Saturdays and on the dates 6/7/8/26/27/28/29/30/31 (closed on Christmas Day) - Times: 9:00 and 14:00
2026
JANUARY
Every day until the 6th, from the 7th only on Saturdays - Times: 9:00 and 14:00
FEBRUARY
Only on Saturdays and on the dates 15/16/17 - Times: 9:00 and 14:00
MARCH
Only on Saturdays - Opening hours: 9:00 and 14:00
APRIL
On Saturdays and on the dates of 2/3/4/6/7/25 (closed on Easter Sunday) - Opening hours: 9:00 and 14:00
MAY
From 1st to 3th every day, from the 4th only on Saturdays - Opening hours: 9:00 and 14:00
JUNE
On the dates of 1st and 2, Saturday 6 and from 13 from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) - Hours: 9:00 and 14:00
JULY
From Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) - Hours: 9:00 and 14:00
AUGUST
From Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) - Hours: 9:00 and 14:00
SEPTEMBER
Until the 13th from Tuesday to Momenica (closed on Monday), from the 14th only on Saturday - Hours: 9:00 and 14:00
OCTOBER
Only on Saturday - Times: 9:00 and 14:00
NOVEMBER
1st - Hours: 9:00 and 14:00
Luigi Einaudi Information Centre and Last Ice Exhibition
DECEMBER 2025
Only on Saturdays and on the dates 6/7/8/26/27/28/29/30/31 (closed on Christmas Day) - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
2026
JANUARY
Every day until the 6th, from the 7th only on Saturdays - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
FEBRUARY
Only on Saturdays and on the dates 15/16/17 - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
MARCH
Only on Saturday - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
APRIL
On Saturdays and on the dates of 2/3/4/6/7/25 (closed on Easter Sunday) - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
MAY
From 1st to 3th every day, from the 4th only on Saturday - Opening hours: 10.30-13.00 and 15.30-17.00
JUNE
On the 1st and 2nd, Saturday 6th and from the 13th from Tuesday to Sunday - Opening hours: 10.30-13.00 and 15.30-17.00
JULY
From Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) - Opening hours: 10.30-13.00 and 15.30-17.00
AUGUST
From Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) - Opening hours: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
SEPTEMBER
Until the 13th from Tuesday to Momenica (closed on Mondays), from the 14th only on Saturdays - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00
OCTOBER
Only on Saturdays - Times: 10.30-13:00 and 15.30-17:00