Originally known as Lora, the Gazza hydroelectric plant is the last plant Marzotto built, in the upper Agno valley, in chronological order.
The first application to divert the water of the Lora valley was filed in 1921 “with the aim of producing electricity to be transported to the Maglio di Sopra plant”. More precisely, the idea was to use the waters “from the three springs of the Lora valley – Lora, Sette Fontane and Lambre -, located at the base of the Plische, Cima Tre Croci and Rove mountains”.
Three intake works were then built on the respective springs, with a short branch channel that would bring the waters to the small loading tank. A forced pipeline of over 700 meters would then convey the water from the loading tank to two Pelton turbines.
The three-story engine building had a roof “characterized by four dormers and originally made of slate shingles”. The wording on the access front facade is worth a mention. Gray text on a mild red field reads: “Worsted spinning machines by G. Marzotto and F. – Lora Power Plant”. Over the decades, the wording was damaged by wear of time and the introduction of advertising fees on registrations prompted the decision not to recompose it), which condemned it to become practically illegible. A recent restoration project affecting the whole plant and its equipment has brought it back to its original glory.
An important modification was planned in 1923: a basin of considerable dimensions (with a capacity of approximately 12,500 m3, a perimeter of about 200 meters and a depth of 5 meters) was built to replace the small loading tank.
The Gazza plant, now owned by Eusebio Energia, is currently in operation.
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