- Hydroelectric power plants, museums, water sports, and cultural initiatives in hydraulic infrastructures create a unique tourist offer with the support of Endesa.
- Museums and heritage sites on historical power plants such as Capdella, Talarn, Camarasa, and Tavascan open their doors to the public.
- Rafting on the Noguera Pallaresa, Noguera Ribagorçana, and Garona rivers combines excitement, canoeing, and renewable energy.
- Music, heritage, and tourism come together in the third edition of the ‘Música a Contracorrent’ (‘Music Against the Current’) concerts to celebrate the hydroelectric legacy of the Lands of Lleida in Catalonia.
Water becomes the backbone of a unique tourist experience during Easter in the Lleida Pyrenees. Hydro-tourism is gaining traction as a proposal that combines nature, history, technology, adventure, and culture. This offer includes visits to historical hydroelectric power plants, hydraulic museums, activities like rafting or canoeing in the region's rivers, and cultural initiatives such as the ‘Música a Contracorrent’ concert cycle.
The hydraulic heritage of the Pyrenees is one of the most significant industrial legacies in Catalonia. The construction of hydroelectric power plants between the late 19th and mid-20th century brought about economic and social transformation for many Pyrenean valleys, creating jobs, infrastructure, and economic activity. Today, this legacy remains alive and active not only as a source of renewable energy generation, but also as a major cultural and tourist asset.
Endesa, as the manager of many of these infrastructures, fosters their preservation, facilitates their opening to the public, and promotes their value as a tool for local development and the transmission of historical memory.
The synergy between industrial heritage, sustainability, active tourism, and culture makes hydro-tourism in the Lleida Pyrenees a present and future opportunity to energise the local economy, spread knowledge of renewable energies, and strengthen the bond with the territory.
Industrial heritage open to the public
This type of tourism invites visitors to delve into the heart of hydraulic electricity generation. As such, various iconic locations in the area open their doors to the public during Easter:
- Capdella hydroelectric power plant (Vall Fosca): Catalonia's first major hydroelectric power plant (1914), which can be visited through the Capdella Hydroelectric Museum. https://museuhidroelectricdecapdella.cat/
- Talarn hydroelectric power plant (Pallars Jussà): The plant features the heritage space La Central, home of the exhibition ‘El Pallars il·lumina Catalunya’ (‘Pallars lights up Catalonia’) and access to the turbine hall. http://www.tremp.cat/lacentral
- Camarasa hydroelectric power plant (la Noguera): With over 100 years of history, concerts in the ‘Música a Contracorrent’ series are hosted inside the original power plant building. Additionally, Espai Orígens organises tours and activities from this historical site. https://www.camarasa.cat/turisme/visita/la-central-hidroelectrica-de-camarasa.
- Talarn hydroelectric power Tavascan (Pallars Sobirà): This underground power plant is open to visitors and stands as an impressive example of engineering integrated into the landscape. https://tavascan.net/apres-ski/central-hidroelectrica/
Endesa, as the manager of this heritage and a key hydroelectric operator, plays a crucial role in enabling this experience. It opens the facilities so that local councils and regional organisations can offer a variety of tourist activities and guided tours linked to the hydraulic infrastructure.
Adventure on the rivers and kilowatts of green energy
When it comes to water-based activities, the rivers of the Lleida Pyrenees are regulated by key hydroelectric power plants to ensure optimal water levels for safe and thrilling whitewater descents. The three main rivers for these activities are:
- Noguera Pallaresa river: This is considered one of the best rafting rivers in Europe. The section between Llavorsí and Sort is especially popular for its intensity and natural beauty. The required water levels for rafting are ensured by the Espot-Torrassa and Llavorsí hydroelectric power plants.
- Noguera Ribagorçana river: This river, located in the Pont de Suert area, features sections suitable for different skill levels. It is therefore another top spot for rafting in breathtaking surroundings. In this case, the water level is regulated from Baserca and it is used to drive the turbines at the Vilaller-Baliera hydroelectric power plant.
- Garona river: Rafting activities are available in the Les area, in the Aran Valley. Water levels are temporarily regulated by the Cledes and Bossòst hydroelectric power plants.
A little-known fact among visitors: before water is released into the rivers to ensure the flow needed for rafting, it first passes through the turbines of the hydroelectric power plants, thereby generating green, renewable electricity. Thus, tourism and energy use go hand in hand, making hydro-tourism a model of balance between recreational use and energy sustainability.
Concerts at hydraulic facilities
Once again, the third edition of the ‘Música a Contracorrent’ concert series will offer exclusive musical experiences in iconic hydraulic sites across the Lleida region. Following the success of previous editions, with concerts held in Talarn, Camarasa, and Lleida, this year the town of Pont de Suert joins the programme, expanding the series to a total of four concerts.
The aim of the series is to raise awareness about Lleida's rich hydroelectric heritage and to promote industrial tourism in the region. The event is promoted by the Associació Pirineus.Watt and organised by the municipalities of Tremp, Camarasa, Pont de Suert, and Lleida, with the collaboration of Endesa through its renewable energies division, EGPE.
Concerts will be held in unique hydroelectric settings, such as the power plants of Talarn and Camarasa, the Plaça Rodona in Pont de Suert, and the Museu de l’Aigua in Lleida. In addition to the uniqueness of the venues, the series is known for its carefully curated music selection and complementary food offerings, which enhance the overall experience for attendees.
Concert schedule:
- Saturday, 19 April, 12:00 h – Talarn hydroelectric power plant.
Midday concert with vermouth by El Duet. Open day at the ‘El Pallars il·lumina Catalunya’ exhibition. - Saturday, 19 April, 12:30 h – Colònia d’Enher, Plaça Rodona, Pont de Suert. Concert by the music group Celobert.
- Saturday, 10 May, 12:00 h – Camarasa hydroelectric power plant.
10:30 h Guided tour – ‘Past and present of the Camarasa hydroelectric power Plant’.
12:00 h Midday concert with vermouth by singer Maria Fernández. - Sunday, 8 June, 19.00 h – Museu de l’Aigua de Lleida: Garden of the Campament de la Canadenca. Concert by Silvestres. The band will present their new album with a special appearance by the Cor de Polifonia Tradicional de Lleida.