Hydro-Electric Scheme
This hydro-electric scheme stands on a river in a remote part of western Murcia. It is said to be the first of its kind ever to have been built in Spain. It dates from about 1900 and was designed and constructed by a man who wanted to advance his country's industrial capability. 100 years later, the scheme is still contributing to the Spanish national grid.
Having bought the land especially for this purpose, the owner then started a fruit farm here. The river provided both the water needed to irrigate the trees and the power to enable that irrigation. It also met the electricity needs of his own household and the needs of the peasant work force.
The grandson of this Spanish entrepreneur still farms the land. He is also on the point of installing hundred of thousands of solar panels which, he believes, will enable his country to reduce carbon emissions.
This photo shows the stream below the hydro-electric dam. The greater part of the river is diverted to pass underground, through the turbine.