Electrical development in Southern Italy

Undoubtedly the most constructive of all the measures now being developed for the industrial advancement of Southern Italy is that for the artificial lakes in the Sila Plateau which is now well under way. This plateau reaches an altitude varying from 4,160 ft. to 6,080, covering an area of some 450 sq. miles. Two dams are being built forming a lake with a content of 500 million cu. ft. of water and another with a content of 200 million, connected by a tunnel over a mile long piercing the Monte Nero. These works when completed will supply a constant average of 160,000 h.p. Five electric central stations will be fed by this hydraulic power, the largest of which at Timpa Grande on the river Neto is already being built. It will generate a constant average of 85,000 h.p. and will be equipped with engines of 140,000 h.p. This power scheme includes plans for irrigation. Two storage dams will be built with their respective irrigation canals and ditches serving an area of 24,000 acres in the Piana di Cotrone where land reclamation schemes approved by the Ministry of Public Works are now being undertaken.