SONDRIO is a 144 MW hydro power station in Lombardy, Italy. It is operated by Enel SpA [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 236 GWh, it can supply roughly 67k homes. It ranks #127 of 489 Italy power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1960, it is around 66 years old — an older, legacy facility. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 15.8% of Italy's electricity; the national grid averages 285 gCO₂/kWh (48.8% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002955.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000602231; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 144 MW, SONDRIO is around the median hydro plant in Italy (132 MW). Hydropower converts the energy of falling or flowing water into electricity; output depends on rainfall and reservoir level, and large dams also provide grid balancing and storage.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 19%, from 236 GWh of reported generation; the median for 40 hydro plants in Italy that report generation is 14%
- Share of Italy hydro capacity
- 1.1% of 13,593 MW across 58 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 24 of 46 dated hydro plants in Italy are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Enel SpA [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a polar tundra climate (Köppen ET) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 46.2°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 113% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 95/100 — this site sits in the top third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with thermal cycling the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #25 largest hydro power plant of 58 in Italy by capacity.
Italy has 58 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 13,593 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- VENINA · Hydro · 327.1 MW · Lombardy
- LANZADA · Hydro · 188 MW · Lombardy
- ARDENNO · Hydro · 56 MW · Lombardy
- MONASTERO · Hydro · 56 MW · Lombardy
- Campocologno 1 · Hydro · 50 MW · Lombardy
- Campocologno 2 · Hydro · 1.6 MW · Lombardy
Location
Coordinates 46.173, 9.8876 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is SONDRIO?
SONDRIO is a 144 MW hydro power plant in Lombardy, Italy, commissioned in 1960.
How much electricity does SONDRIO generate?
SONDRIO generates about 236 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates SONDRIO?
SONDRIO is operated by Enel SpA [100%].