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.
Download the information forms here; please fill them out in advance and hand them in on the day of the visit.
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 "Einaudi" Power Plant (by reservation only)
DECEMBER 2026
Saturdays, the 5th–8th, and the 26th–31st (CLOSED on Christmas Day) – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
2027
JANUARY
Every day through the 6th; from the 7th, Saturdays only – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
FEBRUARY
Saturdays, and the 6th–10th – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
MARCH
Saturdays, and the 26th, 27th, 29th, and 30th (CLOSED ON EASTER SUNDAY) – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
APRIL
Saturdays, and the 25th – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
MAY
Saturdays, the 2nd, and from the 4th onwards, Saturdays only – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
JUNE
The 2nd, the 5th, and from the 12th onwards: Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
JULY
Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) – Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
AUGUST
Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays) – N.B. Open Mondays, the 9th and 16th – Times: 9:00 and 14:00
SEPTEMBER
Through the 12th: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays); from the 13th: Saturdays only – Times: 9:00 and 14:00
OCTOBER
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and Saturdays – the 30th and 31st – Times: 9:00 and 14:00
NOVEMBER
The 1st. CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH – Times: 9:00 and 14:00
Luigi Einaudi Information Center and "Last Ice" (Ultimi ghiacci) Exhibition
DECEMBER 2026
Saturdays, the 5th–8th, and the 26th–31st (CLOSED on Christmas Day) – Times: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
2027
JANUARY
Every day through the 6th; from the 7th: Saturdays only – Times: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
FEBRUARY
Saturdays, and the 6th–10th – Times: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
MARCH
Saturdays, and the 26th, 27th, 29th, and 30th (CLOSED ON EASTER SUNDAY) – Times: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
APRIL
Saturdays, and the 25th – Times: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
MAY
Saturdays, the 2nd; from the 4th onwards, Saturdays only – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
JUNE
The 2nd–5th, and from the 12th onwards: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
JULY
Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
AUGUST
Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays). Note: Open Monday the 9th and 16th – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
SEPTEMBER
Until the 12th: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays); from the 13th onwards: Saturdays only – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
OCTOBER
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and Saturdays the 30th–31st – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00
NOVEMBER
The 1st. CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH – Hours: 10:30–13:00 and 15:30–17:00